An emergency protest has been scheduled outside RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in response to the UK government’s decision to permit the US military to use British bases in operations against Iran.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has organized a peaceful vigil titled “Hands off Iran - No to War” set to take place at 1 pm on Saturday, March 7. The demonstration aims to call for an immediate end to military conflict with Iran.
CND condemned the UK’s involvement, stating that the strikes on Iran are illegal and driven by regime change ambitions rather than concerns about nuclear threats. The organization emphasized that the UK is complicit in these actions following the Prime Minister’s announcement allowing the US to operate from RAF Fairford as part of its campaign.
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“Join Drone Wars UK, CND, and the Oxfordshire Peace Campaign for this vital peace vigil at Fairford US air base,” CND urged. “US and Israeli strikes on Iran are about regime change, not nuclear security.”
South Cotswolds Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage has raised serious concerns by writing to Sir Keir Starmer questioning the government’s risk assessment for the local community, seeking assurances regarding the scope of US military action, and asking if the UK government will rule out escalation that might pull Britain deeper into conflict in the Middle East.
Savage’s letter highlights RAF Fairford’s strategic importance as a key US Air Force base used for long-range bombing missions and argues that Parliament must have a say. “This matter deserves a parliamentary vote so MPs can represent their constituents’ views on the government’s course of action,” she stated. “National security decisions must sometimes be swift, but Parliament must be consulted and able to scrutinize any further UK involvement.”
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump criticized the UK’s level of support, saying he was “not happy with the UK” and that “this is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.”
Sir Keir Starmer, while seeking to limit British involvement, agreed on Sunday to allow the US to use joint bases including RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia for defensive strikes targeting Iranian missile sites to protect US allies.
In preparation for increased tensions, the Royal Navy is readying HMS Dragon, a Type 45 air defence destroyer, for deployment to the Mediterranean to defend Cyprus after a drone strike targeted RAF Akrotiri.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the “serious and volatile” situation in the Middle East and stressed the government’s priority to protect British citizens and bring people home safely. The Foreign Office announced that a UK government-chartered commercial flight will depart Muscat at 7 pm on Wednesday, March 4, to evacuate British nationals from Oman amid regional unrest.