Donald Trump has criticised Keir Starmer again over the UK’s refusal to aid offensive strikes on Iran, saying the “relationship is obviously not what it was”. In an interview with the Sun, the US president compared Starmer’s stance unfavourably with France’s support and that of Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, stating: “He has not been helpful. I never thought I’d see that from the UK.”
Starmer had issued his strongest rebuke yet of Trump’s action in Iran, saying the UK did not believe in “regime change from the skies” and defended his decision not to allow the use of British bases for the strikes. However, he said the UK would permit the use of its bases for defensive action to protect allied forces and nations in the Gulf and Middle East hit by retaliatory strikes after the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Starmer expressed doubt about the US action’s legality, saying: “We all remember the mistakes of Iraq… Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis, and a viable thought-through plan.” Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones reiterated that the UK would not be involved in offensive strikes, adding: “We’re not going to be getting involved in a wider conflict in the Middle East.”
Trump said the UK’s collaboration would not make much difference to US objectives, but added: “He should have helped… France has been great. They’ve all been great. The UK has been much different from others.” He also criticised Starmer on the Chagos Islands deal, North Sea oil and gas, and immigration, suggesting Starmer was trying to court Muslim voters. Jones dismissed this interpretation as “not right”.
Starmer told the Commons that the RAF had intercepted an Iranian drone strike heading for a coalition base in Iraq where UK forces were stationed, and two drones were fired at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. He said the UK was deploying planes and allowing base use for defensive purposes because of Iran’s retaliatory strikes on UK allies.
