UK allowing US use of military bases could violate international law, rights groups warn

Rights groups are sounding the alarm over the legality of UK involvement in US military strikes on Iran, following the government's decision to allow American use of its military bases.

In a letter to the prime minister, attorney general and foreign secretary seen by Middle East Eye, Human Rights Watch UK director Yasmine Ahmed demanded "urgent clarification" on the steps taken by the government to ensure that US military strikes conducted from its bases are compliant with international humanitarian law.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed in early March that the UK had agreed to allow the US to use its military bases for what he said were defensive purposes.

On Friday, Downing Street announced that the agreement had been expanded to allow for the US to launch strikes from UK bases on Iranian sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz - also invoking "collective self-defence" of Gulf state allies as a legal basis for the decision.

Ahmed said that, while the government's legal justification for the move invokes self-defence, it fails to mention issues related to international humanitarian law.

Read more: UK allowing US use of military bases could violate international law, rights groups warn