Yvette Cooper Hits Back at Donald Trump's Social Media Attack on Keir Starmer
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has issued a firm rebuke to former US President Donald Trump after he launched a scathing online critique of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's handling of the Iran crisis. The diplomatic exchange has placed significant strain on the so-called 'special relationship' between the United Kingdom and the United States.
Diplomacy Through Social Media 'Isn't Our Style'
In a pointed response, Cooper stated unequivocally that 'diplomacy through social media isn't our style', advocating instead for a 'calm, cool-headed approach' to international relations. This came after Trump warned on his Truth Social platform that the US would 'remember' the lack of support from 'our once great ally'.
The Republican firebrand further suggested that Starmer was attempting to join a war after it had already been won, specifically referencing the UK's potential deployment of Royal Navy aircraft carriers to the Middle East. Trump posted: 'That's OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don't need them any longer - But we will remember. We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!'
UK's Cautious Stance on Iran Strikes
The British government has notably refrained from joining the US-Israeli strikes on Iran that commenced last weekend. Prime Minister Starmer has publicly stated that he does not believe in 'regime change from the skies'. However, the UK has accepted a US request to utilise its military bases for what has been described as the 'specific and limited defensive purpose' of destroying Iranian missiles at their source.
Appearing on Sky News, Cooper robustly defended Starmer's decision to abstain from offensive action, asserting that attacking Iran was not in the UK's national interest. She emphasised the importance of learning from past conflicts, particularly the Iraq War, to inform current foreign policy decisions.
Internal Labour Criticism from Tony Blair
Cooper also addressed criticism from former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, who publicly rebuked Starmer for not aligning with the US, as Blair did during the Iraq invasion. At a private event in London, Blair argued: 'We should have backed America from the very beginning... If they are your ally and they are an indispensable cornerstone for your security... you had better show up.'
Cooper countered this perspective, stating: 'I think the point is to make sure that, actually, we learn the lessons from some of the things that went wrong in Iraq, and I think that is exactly what Keir Starmer has done.' A spokesperson for Blair later clarified that his comments were made at a private gathering and were not intended for public dissemination.
Military Preparations Amid Diplomatic Tensions
The diplomatic friction coincides with heightened military readiness. The Royal Navy is reportedly preparing HMS Prince of Wales, one of its two aircraft carriers, for potential deployment to the Middle East. The crew has been alerted to be prepared to sail within five days. Additionally, the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon is scheduled to set sail next week.
Trump's criticism extended beyond the carrier issue, as he previously described Starmer as 'not Winston Churchill' for initially denying permission for US strikes to be launched from UK territory, including the joint base on Diego Garcia. Although Starmer later relented under specific conditions, Trump expressed being 'very disappointed' by his British counterpart's initial stance.
The Prime Minister's refusal was grounded in international law but was also influenced by political considerations within his Cabinet, which showed little appetite for replicating Blair's unwavering support for American military interventions. This episode highlights the ongoing complexities in UK-US relations and the Labour Party's enduring divisions over foreign policy legacies.
