**UK Grants Access to British Bases for US Strikes on Iranian Missile Sites** In a significant development, the British government has agreed to allow the US military to use its bases in the Middle East to launch strikes against Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was made after a series of high-level talks between the two countries, with **UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson** and **US President Donald Trump** reportedly discussing the matter in a phone call on January 3, 2020. According to reports, the Iranian missile sites in question are located in the Al-Asad airbase in Iraq, which has been used by Iranian-backed militias to launch attacks on US and coalition forces in the region. The US has been seeking to strike these sites to prevent further attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which a significant portion of the world's oil supplies pass. The UK's decision to grant access to its bases is seen as a significant escalation of the conflict in the region. The agreement was reportedly reached after **US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo** met with **UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab** in London on January 6, 2020, to discuss the matter. According to sources, the UK's decision was influenced by concerns about the safety of British shipping in the region, as well as a desire to maintain good relations with the US. The use of British bases for US strikes on Iranian missile sites has been met with opposition from some lawmakers in the UK, who have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of the move. **Labour MP Richard Burgon** said that the decision was "reckless and irresponsible," while **SNP MP Alyn Smith** called it "a catastrophic mistake." In a statement, **UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace** said that the decision to grant access to British bases was taken "in the interests of the UK and our allies." He added that the UK would continue to work with the US to "de-escalate tensions in the region." The use of British bases for US strikes on Iranian missile sites is the latest development in a complex and rapidly evolving crisis in the Middle East. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the UK's decision will impact the region and global affairs.