Iran says it will exercise 'legitimate right to self-defence’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the country will “exercise our legitimate right to self-defence” in response to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to allow the US to use UK bases to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites targeting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on social media, Araghchi said “the vast majority of the British people” do not want to get involved in the US-Israel war on Iran.

Araghchi said by allowing UK bases to be “used for aggression against Iran”, Starmer is “putting British lives in danger” as “Iran will exercise its right to self-defence”.

Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-U.S. war of choice on Iran.

Ignoring his own People, Mr. Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defense.

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 20, 2026