Search & fact-check with cited sources for What prompted Iran's IRGC to declare British military bases like RAF Fairford "legitimate targets," how did the UK respond, and what broader context — including Prime Minister Andy Burnham's recommitment to allowing US operations from UK

UK response

The UK government responded the same day, stating it "stands ready 24/7 to defend itself" and that British Armed Forces were on standby . The government reiterated that it had only authorized the US to conduct "defensive" operations from British bases — such as countering Iranian missile launches — and that it had not consented to offensive operations .

Andy Burnham's recommitment to US basing (July 21, 2026)

Newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham, on or shortly after taking office in late July 2026, approved the continued use of British military bases — specifically RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia — by US forces for what the UK classifies as "defensive" strikes against Iran, continuing the policy of his predecessor Keir Starmer . Multiple outlets reported this decision on July 21–22, 2026, citing Bloomberg and government sources . Burnham's authorization came amid reported pressure from the Trump administration to maintain US access to these bases .

Broader context

The February 28, 2026 US-Israel offensive (not February 2025)

The available sources consistently date the start of the full-scale US-Israel war against Iran to February 28, 2026, not February 2025 . On that date, the US and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes across Iran, including the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, marking the beginning of the 2026 Iran war . A prior "Twelve-Day War" in June 2025 had seen a direct US offensive military intervention (B-2 bombers and cruise missiles hitting nuclear sites) before a temporary ceasefire was brokered .

The June 2025 ceasefire and its collapse over the Strait of Hormuz (July 2026)

A 12-day air war in June 2025 ended with a fragile US-brokered truce . That ceasefire collapsed after hostilities resumed in early 2026. The Strait of Hormuz became a flashpoint: the IRGC had threatened to block the strait, and the war widened into a regional conflict affecting Gulf states, Yemen, and global energy markets . By July 2026, the war was in full swing, with the US launching fresh waves of air and naval strikes against Iranian command centers, air defenses, and coastal facilities .

President Trump's threat to bomb Iranian infrastructure

While the search results did not capture a fresh source for a specific standalone Trump threat in this exact window, the broader context is that the Trump administration escalated its military campaign significantly in 2026, including the large-scale February 28 strikes and subsequent operations that targeted nuclear sites, ports, and military infrastructure .

IRGC claim of striking a US electronic warfare unit at Al-Udeid

The search results did not surface a direct, citable source for the IRGC's claim of striking a US electronic warfare unit at Al-Udeid Air Base (Qatar). This specific claim could not be verified within the search budget and should be treated as unconfirmed against available reporting at this time. It may represent a separate IRGC operational claim not yet captured in these search results.

Summary of key confirmed facts