Britain has given the US permission to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to carry out raids on Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Operating under the same legal basis of self-defence, but now striking new targets, the initiative is described as "US defensive operations", rather than an offensive move.
It comes amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, where Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously granted Donald Trump permission to operate defensive strikes from British bases in the region.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “Ministers condemned Iran’s expansion of its targets to include international shipping.
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"They agreed that Iran’s reckless strikes, including on Red Ensign vessels and those of our close allies and Gulf partners, risked pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the economic impact being felt in the UK and around the world.
"They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
"They reaffirmed that the principles behind the UK’s approach to the conflict remain the same: the UK remains committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict.
“Ministers underlined the need for urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war".
A military vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran stepped up attacks in the waterway this week | GETTYThe decision comes after Downing Street reaffirmed a clear position that the UK is “not getting drawn into the wider war”, followng Iran’s foreign minister claiming support of the US amounted to “participation in aggression”.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman rebutted that Britain didn’t participate in the initial strikes, and that the bases are only to be used for specific defensive and limited purpose in response to Iran’s "continued and outrageous aggression".
"We’ve always said that this is the best way to eliminate the urgent threat and restore a path to diplomacy", the spokesman added.
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Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper earlier called on Tehran to stop its “reckless strikes” against neighbours, and that UK operations in the region were in response to Iran’s aggression against Gulf partners, an FCDO spokesperson said.
“She condemned Iran’s reckless attacks - including on Gulf partners and critical energy infrastructure - and Iran’s disruption and closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
"She called for the immediate restoration of freedom of navigation".
The Foreign Secretary reiterated a joint call with France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on all attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.
She made clear that the UK wants to see a "swift resolution" to the conflict, and warned Iran against targeting UK bases, territory or interests directly, restating the UK’s focus on regional stability and security.
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