The BBC visited the American and British military bases in Iraq during the cease-fire

The BBC has been granted access to a base in Iraq where UK troops are working alongside their US counterparts in the conflict.

The US announced an extended but fragile ceasefire in the war between Iran and Israel – but before the ceasefire, 28 drones were fired at the base every day.

“You hear weapons of mass destruction going off around you, and it’s bloody,” Ref Air Specialist Jonathan Beale told the BBC’s defense correspondent.

British and American forces have been working side-by-side at this base long before the war with Iran began – fighting the Islamic State group.

Sharp differences over the war strain Iran’s transatlantic ties. But on this basis the two are still joined at the hip.

Secretary of the Army Al Carnes said the close cooperation between the two militaries is a “message that needs to be loud.” Since the start of the conflict, “we’ve helped keep the Americans out of harm’s way, we’ve helped protect them and they’ve helped protect us,” Carnes said – although he stressed British forces were in a “defensive posture”.

Air Force Chief Sir Harvey Smith said he met the US chief of staff who was “full of admiration” for the UK military. “I think our relationship is as strong as it’s ever been, and this practice has brought us closer together,” he said.

But that was certainly not reflected in the language between Washington and Westminster.