Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has stated that the UK Government will not “outsource” its foreign policy, following renewed criticism from US President Donald Trump over the conflict in Iran. Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Cooper emphasised that it is the UK’s role to decide what is in its national interest, rather than simply agreeing with other countries.
Cooper also dismissed a rebuke from former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, who suggested the UK should have backed the US from the start of the Iran conflict. She stressed the importance of learning lessons from the Iraq war, saying that unquestioningly agreeing with the US is not in the UK’s national interest.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced personal attacks from Trump after initially refusing to grant permission for the first wave of US military action from UK bases. Trump accused Starmer of joining the war “late” and claimed the UK was “finally giving thought” to sending aircraft carriers after the US had already won. Starmer later authorised “defensive” US strikes from RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia.
Cooper defended Starmer’s approach, stating he focuses on “calm, steady decision-making” rather than “rhetoric or hyperbole”. She reiterated that the UK must take its own decisions, even if they differ from US positions. Downing Street has sought to downplay the rift, pointing to ongoing intelligence sharing and cooperation.
The UK has increased military preparedness, including reducing the sailing time for HMS Prince of Wales and sending a Merlin helicopter for surveillance. RAF Typhoon and F-35 jets continue operations over Jordan, Qatar, and Cyprus. HMS Dragon is expected to deploy to the eastern Mediterranean amid concerns over the defence of Cyprus, where a UK base was recently struck by a drone.
