Keir Starmer has appeared to criticise Donald Trump while insisting their relationship remains intact, as a fragile ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel comes into effect.
The UK prime minister declined to directly engage with remarks made by the US president, who had likened him to Neville Chamberlain, accusing him of appeasement.
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The criticism followed Trump’s claim that Starmer was “not Winston Churchill” after he refused to initially allow US forces to launch airstrikes on Iran from RAF bases.
Starmer has also pushed back against calls from Washington for Britain to deploy naval forces to the Gulf to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
UK Position On Iran Conflict And Strait Of Hormuz Strategy
Travelling to Saudi Arabia shortly after a two-week ceasefire agreement was reached, Starmer is expected to hold discussions with regional leaders focused on restoring stability and reopening the strait.
When questioned about the state of his relationship with Trump, the prime minister dismissed suggestions of a breakdown, stating it was not “in tatters”.
However, he signalled clear disagreement over the conduct of the conflict, indicating concerns about its legal basis and strategic planning.
Starmer Defends UK National Interest And Legal Framework
Starmer said: “I’ve acted as you would expect of a British prime minister, which is by being absolutely focused on what is our national interest, and that’s why I’ve applied my principles and my values throughout.
“And my principles and values made sure that our decisions were that we wouldn’t get involved in the action without a lawful basis, without a viable, thought-through plan. That was the right position for the United Kingdom, and of course, that has included us taking action, collective self-defence.”
He added: “I’m the British prime minister. I act in the British national interest, but nothing, but nothing, is going to deflect me from that.”
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