WASHINGTON, United States — Donald Trump has criticised Keir Starmer, accusing the British leader of attempting to “join wars after we’ve already won” amid tensions over the United Kingdom’s role in the escalating conflict involving Iran.
Writing on his Truth Social platform while aboard Air Force One en route to Florida, Trump said the United States did not require the deployment of Britain’s aircraft carriers to the Middle East.
“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 after Starmer declined an earlier request by the United States to use British military bases to launch initial strikes targeting Iranian facilities. Trump later described the decision as “unhelpful”.
“He has not been helpful,” Trump said in an interview with The Sun. “I never thought I’d see that. I never thought I’d see that from the UK.”
According to British officials, Starmer initially withheld permission for US forces to use bases in the United Kingdom for offensive operations against Iran, arguing that diplomatic efforts should be prioritised to prevent further escalation in the region.
The prime minister has repeatedly emphasised the need to “de-escalate” the situation, a position that Trump publicly criticised, saying Starmer “is not Winston Churchill.”
However, the British government later confirmed it had agreed to a US request allowing British bases to be used for what it described as “defensive” strikes against Iranian missile sites, while maintaining that the United Kingdom would not participate in offensive operations at this stage.
Meanwhile, military preparations in the region appear to be intensifying. The Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon is being loaded with ammunition ahead of a planned deployment to protect a British military base in Cyprus.
In addition, United States B-1 Lancer bomber aircraft were seen landing at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Saturday, signalling an increased American military presence in the region.
Washington and London have historically coordinated closely on military operations in the Middle East, but the latest exchange underscores differing political calculations over the pace and scale of military engagement as the situation continues to evolve.
