US President Donald Trump said the UK “should have acted a lot faster” in allowing America to use British bases to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump’s comment came after ministers have agreed to let the US use British bases to strike Iranian sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz. Downing Street said UK bases will now be used for US “defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships”.

Up until this point, the Government has allowed the US to use British bases only to hit missile sites targeting British interests in the region.