US, UK discuss potentially using joint base amid tensions with Iran

WASHINGTON (TNND) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a British official met Friday in Washington D.C. as the tensions with Iran continue to rise.

The discussion is about the joint US-U.K. base called Diego Garcia, which is located in the Chagos Islands. The base could potentially be used if the U.S. attacks Iran, according to CBS News.

A spokesperson for the U.K. Ministry of Defense said that they support the ongoing political process between the U.S. and Iran.

“Iran must never be able to develop a nuclear weapon, and our priority is security in the region,” the spokesperson told CBS News.

The British official Rubio met with is reportedly U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that a decision on whether to strike Iran could come within the next 10 days.

“We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal,” Trump told the Board of Peace members at their inaugural meeting.

“You’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days, but this meeting today is proof with determined leadership, nothing is impossible.”

He also said that “bad things” could happen if a deal wasn’t made.

“Now is the time for Iran to join us on a path that will complete what we’re doing,” he said. “And if they join us, that will be great. If they don’t join us, that will be great too, but it will be a very different path. They cannot continue to threaten the stability of the entire region, and they must make a deal. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. Bad things will happen if it doesn’t.”