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President Donald Trump has publicly criticised Sir Keir Starmer, stating that he is “no Winston Churchill” amid tensions over the UK’s refusal to allow the US to use British military bases for initial strikes against Iran. The dispute centers on the US request to operate from the Diego Garcia base in the Chagos Islands, which was denied by the UK Prime Minister. Instead, permission was later granted for US forces to use British bases for “defensive” operations targeting Iranian missile sites.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump conveyed his dissatisfaction with the UK’s decision, which resulted in American aircraft enduring prolonged flight times. On Sunday, the UK approved the US request to make use of bases including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia, but the Prime Minister emphasized to Members of Parliament that the government “does not believe in regime change from the skies.” He acknowledged President Trump’s disagreement but maintained that protecting Britain’s national interest remains paramount.
The Prime Minister explained that the situation evolved when Iran’s response to the US and Israeli attacks became “a threat to our people, our interests and our allies.” Iran’s retaliation endangered British citizens throughout the Middle East, prompting the decision to authorise the UK bases for strikes on Iran’s missile infrastructure. In contrast, Trump described Sir Keir’s initial stance as “shocking,” criticizing the handling of the Diego Garcia base agreement and lamenting the logistical complications it caused, insisting, “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.”
Trump extended his critique to broader UK government policies on energy and immigration, declaring, “this is not the age of Churchill.” Earlier in the week, he told The Sun newspaper that relations between the US and UK were strained, stating, “It’s very sad to see that the relationship is obviously not what it was.” Former British ambassador to the US Lord Darroch described Trump’s comments as “pretty brutal” and acknowledged the existence of a serious rift. However, he noted that despite the harsh language, the fundamental military and intelligence cooperation remains robust. According to Lord Darroch, practical cooperation between London and Washington is expected to continue, as business and diplomacy necessitate a working relationship. In response to the tensions, Downing Street has remained publicly reserved, emphasizing that Sir Keir’s decisions reflect British national interests and public opinion. Treasury Minister Torsten Bell highlighted ongoing collaboration between the US and UK on the ground, reinforcing the position that while the UK opposes regime change through air strikes, it will take necessary measures to safeguard British nationals
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