All articles tagged with #bases
President Donald Trump criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for initially refusing to basing American airstrikes in the UK against Iran, saying the UK-US relationship isn’t what it used to be. Starmer later agreed to allow limited US use of two British bases for defensive operations as tensions with Iran continue, highlighting ongoing strains in the long-standing alliance.
President Trump threatened to cut off all trade with Spain after Madrid barred the US from using its bases for operations against Iran, calling Spain “terrible” and signaling a potential embargo. It remains unclear whether the US will follow through, as EU rules and Spain's insistence on private-company autonomy complicate unilateral action amid broader tensions over NATO spending and EU dynamics.
Keir Starmer reverses course and says the UK will permit the US to use British bases for a narrowly defined defensive mission to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, a move the government says is limited in scope and aimed at protecting regional allies without broader involvement in the wider U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict.
Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, Russia is pulling back some military forces and equipment from Syria but is maintaining its presence at the Hmeimim airbase and Tartous naval facility. Despite the withdrawal of some forces, Russia is not abandoning its strategic bases, which are crucial for its military operations in the region. Discussions with Syria's new rulers about the future of these bases are ongoing, while Russia continues to support Assad, who has been granted asylum in Moscow.