UK reverses course, opens bases for US strikes as Iran war deepens global divide

2026-03-20 - 20:53

The UK has made a major policy shift by allowing the US to use its bases to target Iranian missile sites threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. A clear global divide is emerging, with London aligning with Washington under pressure from Donald Trump, while Switzerland maintains strict neutrality by suspending arms exports to the US. The US is escalating militarily, deploying 2,500 additional Marines and warships including the USS Boxer, signaling a possible expansion of the conflict into broader and more direct engagements. The escalating conflict between the United States and Iran is rapidly reshaping global alliances and military strategies, with major powers taking sharply divergent positions as tensions intensify across the Middle East. In a significant policy shift, the United Kingdom has authorized the United States to use its military bases to launch strikes against Iranian missile sites targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. According to a statement from Downing Street, British ministers approved the move as part of what was described as “defensive operations” aimed at degrading Iran’s missile capabilities threatening international shipping lanes, according to dw.com. The decision marks a reversal by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had previously resisted calls from Washington to open key bases such as Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK facility in the Indian Ocean. However, the shift came after Iran’s attacks on UK allies in the region, prompting London to call for urgent de-escalation while simultaneously stepping into a more active support role. The move also follows mounting pressure from Donald Trump, who had openly criticized NATO allies for what he described as reluctance to support US-led operations. Trump had earlier lashed out at Britain and others, accusing them of failing to ensure safe passage for oil tankers through the vital Gulf corridor. Meanwhile, in stark contrast to London’s alignment with Washington, Switzerland has taken a firm neutral stance, announcing a suspension of all arms exports to the United States for the duration of the war. Swiss authorities said the decision is rooted in the country’s long-standing neutrality policy, which prohibits the export of military equipment to nations engaged in active conflicts. The move could impact future defense agreements between Bern and Washington, despite ongoing economic negotiations aimed at reducing tariffs on Swiss goods. On the ground, the United States is significantly ramping up its military presence in the region. The Pentagon has deployed an additional 2,500 Marines alongside three amphibious assault ships, including the USS Boxer, to bolster its already substantial force of approximately 50,000 troops stationed across the Middle East. The buildup signals growing expectations that the conflict could expand beyond air and naval operations, potentially involving ground engagements. As diplomatic divisions widen and military deployments intensify, the crisis underscores a deepening global split—between allies stepping closer to the battlefield and neutral states pulling further away—raising fears of a broader and more prolonged confrontation.