The UK has agreed to a US request to use British military bases for what Sir Keir Starmer described as a “specific and limited defensive purpose” destroying Iranian missiles “at source”.In a video statement, the British Prime Minister said the decision was based on the “collective self-defence” of allies and the need to protect British lives. “The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source,” he said, adding the move was the “best way to eliminate the urgent threat and prevent the situation spiralling further”.He stressed the UK “played no role” in the initial US-Israeli strikes on Iran and “will not join offensive action now”, saying lessons had been learned from the “mistakes of Iraq”.Hours later, RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by a drone strike at around midnight. The Ministry of Defence said “minimal damage” was caused and no casualties were reported. An investigation is under way.Keir said at least 200,000 British nationals are currently in the region and accused Iran of pursuing a “scorched-earth strategy” and “becoming even more reckless”. He said Iranian missiles had “hit airports and hotels where British citizens are staying” and had struck a military base in Bahrain, “narrowly missing British personnel”.The US had requested use of UK bases to prevent Iran “firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk, and hitting countries that have not been involved,” he said.In a summary of its legal position, the government said the UK and its allies are permitted under international law to use or support force in self-defence where it is “necessary and proportionate”.Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the decision was “better late than never” while Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski condemned it as “yet another Middle East illegal war”.What do you make of this?•