Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump held crisis talks on Saturday to address a major rift in the 'special relationship' following the outbreak of war with Iran. The conversation, their first since hostilities began, came after a weekend of public insults between the two leaders over the UK's refusal to join offensive military action.
In an outburst on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticised Sir Keir for only agreeing to defensive assistance, warning the US would 'remember' the lack of support from 'our once great ally'. He also suggested the UK was attempting to join the war after it had already been won, adding: 'We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!'
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper hit back on Sunday, stating that 'diplomacy through social media isn't our style' and advocating for a 'calm, cool-headed approach'. She defended the UK's position, saying it was not in the national interest to attack Iran, and emphasised learning lessons from past conflicts like the Iraq War.
Downing Street confirmed that during the call, the leaders discussed 'the military cooperation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region'. The UK has accepted a US request to use its bases for the limited defensive purpose of destroying Iranian missiles, but has not joined US-Israeli strikes.
The diplomatic tensions escalated further when Trump stated he did not need the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers, despite reports that HMS Prince of Wales was being prepared for potential deployment. Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair also criticised Sir Keir, urging him to back the US from the start, a remark the Foreign Secretary rebuffed by highlighting the need to avoid repeating mistakes of the Iraq conflict.
