UK blocks US from using RAF bases for potential Iran strike: Reports

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World

UK denies US request to launch potential strikes on Iran from Chagos bases.
Trump responds by withdrawing support for Chagos transfer to Mauritius amid rising tensions.

The UK has refused President Donald Trump’s request to use Royal Air Force bases in the Chagos Islands for potential military strikes against Iran, according to The Times.

Long-standing agreements between the two countries require explicit UK approval for any military operations launched from these bases. London withheld consent, citing concerns over violating international law, which does not distinguish between the state executing an attack and one supporting it.

US Response Escalates

The Trump administration quickly retaliated by pulling support for the long-debated transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, signaling that the issue could be used as leverage against the UK.

Gaza Council Faces Criticism

Separately, the Washington Post reported that a recent peace council meeting in Washington drew delegations from 47 nations but lacked participation from permanent UN Security Council members France, the UK, Russia, and China. Israel was included in the council, while Palestinians remained unrepresented, sparking debate over legitimacy. Financial arrangements are reportedly under discussion, with JPMorgan exploring services to facilitate council payments.

AI Military Dispute

Tensions are also rising between AI company Anthropic and the Pentagon. The firm refuses to remove ethical safeguards from its "Claude" program, which prevent its use in direct combat or in making decisions that could cause casualties. Military officials warn these restrictions could render the program unusable in field operations, jeopardizing a $200 million contract. NASA journalist Keith Kowning described the standoff as a long-awaited ethical clash, noting the absence of binding international regulations for battlefield AI.

British Royal Shock

In another high-profile development, The Guardian called the arrest of former British Prince Andrew a “seismic moment” for the monarchy. The publication highlighted that public awe and the untouchable image of the royal family have been irreversibly damaged, following weeks of revelations from US Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein.