Relations between London and Washington have faced a serious test amid the escalating situation surrounding Iran. The British government has officially notified the Americans that it will reject any requests to use its military bases for strikes on Iranian territory. This primarily concerns facilities the US planned to prioritize to suppress the enemy's will to resist. According to diplomatic sources, US commanders were considering attacking key bridges, transport hubs, and power plants in the Islamic Republic, using British military infrastructure as a vital logistical and operational foothold in the region.

British officials justified their refusal by strict adherence to international law and legal concerns. London emphasized that bridges and energy facilities are classified as critical civilian infrastructure. Conducting targeted airstrikes against such targets could constitute a war crime, placing direct liability on all parties involved in such attacks. The British side stated that it does not intend to become complicit in actions that could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and mass suffering among Iranian civilians, deprived of electricity and freedom of movement. This step was an unexpected setback for Washington, which traditionally relies on the support of its main European ally when conducting large-scale campaigns in the Middle East.