The UK has been dragged into Trump's Iran war. But what will Starmer do next?

"The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it."

"Keir Starmer's partial U-turn last night allowing the Americans to use British RAF bases for defensive purposes against Iran may well be seen as the first stage of Britain being sucked into a war in the Middle East. But in the crucial hours ahead for the prime minister, the ghosts of the premierships of Tony Blair and the late Labour prime minister Harold Wilson hang over his difficult decisions."

"Prime minister Wilson made the decision to refuse to go into Vietnam with Britain's American allies. History has shown he made the right call. But at the time, in the late 1960s, it was a controversial decision. In attack lines from the right which may sound very familiar today, Wilson was accused of harming the Special Relationship with the UK's most important ally and making Britain look irrelevant."

The Independent operates as a non-paywalled news organization covering major issues including reproductive rights, climate change, and technology. The outlet maintains editorial independence while accepting donations to fund on-the-ground reporting. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to allow American use of British RAF bases for defensive operations against Iran represents a cautious first step. Historical parallels with Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson's refusal to enter the Vietnam War demonstrate how past decisions shape current constraints on British military involvement. Wilson faced criticism for potentially damaging the US-UK relationship, yet history vindicated his decision to keep Britain out of that conflict.

Read at www.independent.co.uk