Tense relations: Keir Starmer and Donald Trump speak by phone for the first time

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has finally spoken directly by telephone with United States President Donald Trump, their first direct conversation since Trump sharply criticised Britain’s handling of the Middle East conflict. The relationship had cooled after Trump mocked Starmer as ‘not Winston Churchill’ and suggested Britain was no longer a formidable ally. The criticism followed Starmer’s refusal to allow the US to use British bases to launch an early offensive against an Iranian missile site. Downing Street issued limited details, stating that the leaders discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and the security partnership between Britain and the United States, including the use of RAF bases to support the partners’ collective self-defence in the region. During the call Starmer offered condolences to Trump and the American people for the deaths of six US soldiers in the conflict. In response to Trump’s jibe about Britain’s involvement, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the government’s stance, stressing that Britain would not simply imitate another country’s foreign policy. ‘It is the President’s right to decide what serves America’s national interests,’ she said, ‘but our duty as the British government is to decide what is in Britain’s national interest.’ She emphasised learning from past mistakes, pointing to the 2003 Iraq War and saying decisions must focus on what is right for British citizens, not blanket agreement with allies. There was also domestic criticism. Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick said Starmer’s hesitation risked significant damage to the UK’s relationship with the US. Conversely, Conservative Chris Philp accused the government of negligence for keeping warships idle at Portsmouth instead of deploying to the Mediterranean or the Gulf. Iran’s ambassador to London, Seyed Ali Mousavi, warned Britain not to become further involved in the war, saying that any facility, property, or base used against Iran would be a legitimate target. Meanwhile, RAF fighter jets had been deployed to the region to deter missiles and drones launched by Iran at allied forces, and the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales was placed on high alert with potential deployment within five days if the situation worsened. Recent footage allegedly shows missiles consistent with US Tomahawks striking an IRGC base near a school in Minab, challenging Trump’s claims. The US disputed Ali Larijani’s claims about the capture of American troops, and Operation Epic Fury continues amid reports of civilian casualties in Iran. Trump attended a service of remembrance for six US soldiers who died when an Iranian drone struck in Kuwait. The broader international response includes Chinese condemnation of the war in the Middle East and calls for the US to manage its bilateral ties; Beijing emphasises its alliance with Moscow remains solid in the crisis. Cyprus has protested Britain’s actions after drones attacked RAF Akrotiri; Nicosia demands guarantees that the base is reserved for humanitarian missions, not military strikes.