Iran war: Antiwar protesters rally outside RAF Fairford

So far, the UK has allowed the US to launch ‘defensive’ operations from British bases hosting American personnel and aircraft while refusing to cooperate in offensive operations against Iran.

Demonstrators from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Fairford Action held signs and chanted outside RAF Fairford - home to the headquarters of the 501st Combat Support Wing, an administrative support wing of the United States Air Force, and the 420th Air Base Squadron - on Saturday, July 25.

The protesters say their action follows an attack on Iran by a US B-1 bomber stationed at RAF Fairford last week, which led to Iran’s Foreign Ministry branding Britain as an ‘accomplice’ in the US and Israel's war.

CND general secretary Sophie Bolt said: “New Prime Minister Andy Burnham needs to end [US president Donald] Trump’s use of Fairford and Diego Garcia now.

“This is dragging Britain directly into Trump’s illegal war on Iran.

A demonstrator from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Fairford Action during an emergency protest outside the main gate of RAF Fairford on Saturday July 25 after an attack on Iran by a US B-1 bomber stationed there last week (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

“Public opposition to the use of British bases to commit war crimes overseas is growing.

“Diplomatic pathways to achieve a peaceful resolution to Iran’s nuclear programme have been shown to work.

“Trump’s bombardment is only sabotaging this progress.”

New Defence Secretary Wes Streeting is reported to have had a ‘very warm conversation’ with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth on Friday, July 24.

According to a source close to Mr Streeting, the pair brainstormed ideas for an international conference which allies of the UK and US would attend, but have not yet firmed up the details of a summit.

Demonstrators from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Fairford Action during an emergency protest outside the main gate of RAF Fairford on Saturday July 25 after an attack on Iran by a US B-1 bomber stationed there last week (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

Mr Hegseth, the US Secretary of War, last month lambasted European leaders for denying the US unfettered use of bases.

“These allies, they put America’s sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all,” he said.

Mr Streeting’s call with Mr Hegseth follows a meeting between Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Washington’s secretary of state Marco Rubio.