US president Donald Trump has publicly rebuked British prime minister Keir Starmer over what he described as delayed support from the United Kingdom for US-Israeli military strikes on Iran.
Trump issued the criticism on his social media platform, suggesting the UK had taken too long to back Washington’s military campaign despite its longstanding alliance with the United States.
“The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump wrote.
“That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer – But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!”
The remarks came even as US forces were already using British military bases to support operations linked to the conflict.
The UK government confirmed it had authorised the United States to operate from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia, a strategic base in the Indian Ocean jointly used by the UK and US.
British defence officials said four US bombers arrived at a Royal Air Force base in Britain on Friday and Saturday, and had already begun using British facilities for operations designed to prevent Iran from launching missile attacks across the region.
A UK defence ministry spokesperson said the deployments were intended to counter threats from Iran.
“HMS Prince of Wales has always been on very high readiness and we are increasing the preparedness of the carrier, reducing the time it would take to set sail for any deployment,” the spokesperson said.
The UK government is reportedly preparing the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales for potential deployment to the Middle East as tensions escalate.
Despite the operational cooperation, Starmer has faced pressure at home over whether Britain should become more directly involved in the conflict.
Some members of the prime minister’s Labour party have urged caution about entering a wider war, warning that deeper military involvement could carry significant political and security risks.
The issue has also exposed strains within the Western alliance over the scale and timing of support for the US-led campaign.
Speaking at a regional security conference in Miami, US secretary of state Marco Rubio appeared to criticise countries that declined to allow their bases to be used for direct strikes against Iran.
“At a time when we have learned that an ally, when you need them, may not be there for you, these are countries that have been there for us,” Rubio said.
“We want you to see that when you are a friend and ally to the United States, it is a good thing and it is reciprocated back the other way.”
The dispute comes as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues to escalate across the Middle East, raising concerns among Western governments about regional stability and the risk of broader international involvement.