Tensions are mounting between the United States and the United Kingdom after US President Donald Trump publicly criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his response to the recent US-Israeli military action against Iran.
In an interview with The Sun, Trump said he was “sad to see” the traditionally strong US-UK partnership weaken, describing Starmer as “not helpful” at a critical time. He added that relations between the two allies are “not like they used to be.”
The dispute follows coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iranian missile launch sites and storage facilities. Although Starmer later approved the use of British military bases for what he termed a “specific and limited defensive purpose,” he stressed that the UK would not take part in direct offensive operations against the Iranian government.
In a separate interview with The Telegraph, Trump said Starmer “took far too long” to authorise the use of UK bases, expressing frustration that access was initially denied. He suggested the delay stemmed from legal concerns surrounding the operation.
Addressing Parliament, Starmer defended his decision, saying his priority was Britain’s national interest. He maintained that opting out of the “initial” strikes was a deliberate and carefully weighed choice, despite Trump’s public criticism.
Reiterating his stance, Trump said that while the US remains a “very dominant power,” he believed the British prime minister should have offered firmer backing. The exchange underscores growing diplomatic strain between two countries long regarded as close allies, as tensions in the Middle East intensify.
Trump added that Starmer had “not been helpful,” saying, “I never thought I’d see that from the UK. We love the UK. It’s just a much different kind of relationship… It’s very sad to see that the relationship is obviously not what it was.”
Meanwhile, government minister Darren Jones defended Starmer’s approach, saying military involvement would only occur where there was a “legal basis” and a “clear plan” aligned with Britain’s interests. “That’s why we were not involved in the initial strikes in Iran,” he said.
He added that the UK had nevertheless authorised American aircraft to use its air bases and deployed British jets to help protect UK nationals in the region. Two facilities — one in Gloucestershire and the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean — have now been cleared for American use.
According to Downing Street, Starmer made the decision after Iranian missile launches over the weekend put British interests and citizens “at risk.” Speaking later in Parliament, he said: “We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learnt those lessons.”
