Donald Trump has criticised Sir Keir Starmer over the UK’s refusal to support offensive strikes on Iran, stating that the “relationship is obviously not what it was”. The US president made the remarks in an interview with the Sun, comparing the UK’s stance unfavourably with France and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Starmer had earlier issued his strongest rebuke of Trump’s action in Iran, telling the House of Commons that the UK did not believe in “regime change from the skies”. He defended his decision not to allow the use of British bases for the strikes, but said the UK would permit defensive action to protect allied forces in the Gulf and Middle East.
Trump said Starmer “has not been helpful” and expressed surprise at the UK’s position. “I never thought I’d see that from the UK. We love the UK,” he said. The president also criticised Starmer over the Chagos Islands deal, North Sea oil and gas exploration, and immigration, suggesting the prime minister may be courting Muslim voters.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones rejected that interpretation, saying the UK acts in the interests of all British citizens. He reiterated that the UK would not get involved in a wider Middle East conflict and would only engage British forces when it is in British interests, with a clear plan and legal basis.
Starmer told MPs that the UK had already taken defensive action, including intercepting an Iranian drone strike heading for a coalition base in Iraq and responding to drones fired at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. He stressed that any UK action must have a lawful basis, recalling the lessons of the Iraq War.
