Sir Keir Starmer has firmly defended Britain’s decision to stay out of the opening wave of military action against Iran, describing the choice as calculated and serving the country’s interests.Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the Prime Minister said: “That decision was deliberate, it was in the national interest, and I stand by it.”He emphasised that safeguarding British citizens remains his foremost concern, acknowledging that families across the nation are deeply anxious about loved ones caught up in the escalating crisis.The Prime Minister also confirmed he had convened a Cobra meeting earlier in the day to address the deteriorating situation.
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Britain’s long-held position, he explained, favours a diplomatic resolution where Tehran abandons its nuclear programme.However, Mr Trump has repeatedly blasted the Prime Minister over Britain’s response to the conflict.Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, the US President dismissed Sir Keir with a pointed comparison: “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.”Mr Trump expressed frustration that Britain had not immediately granted access to its military facilities, telling the New York Post on Thursday: “It was very disappointing his performance, having to do with our tremendous attack on a hostile nation.”The President insisted that the UK “should be giving us, without question or hesitation, things like bases where we can use others”. He also criticised the Chagos Islands deal, claiming it had caused logistical problems requiring American forces to fly additional hours to find alternative landing sites.Sir Keir pushed back forcefully against suggestions he had damaged transatlantic relations when challenged by Conservative MP Gareth Bacon during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.The Prime Minister outlined the practical realities of the alliance, stating: “American planes are operating out of British bases, that is the special relationship in action.”LATEST DEVELOPMENTSIran LIVE: Rebels launch ground offensive in Iran after US ‘hatches plan for covert uprising’Clashes erupt in Manchester as pro-Tehran and anti-regime protesters face off at Ayatollah vigilEd Miliband ‘spearheaded’ Labour rebellion to US action in Iran after pushing ‘pacifist’ caseHe pointed to British aircraft intercepting drones and missiles to safeguard American personnel at shared facilities in the Middle East as further evidence of cooperation. Round-the-clock intelligence sharing between the two nations also continues, he noted.Sir Keir then delivered a pointed rebuke: “Hanging on to President Trump’s latest words is not the special relationship in action.”Defence Secretary John Healey has refused to exclude the possibility of British warplanes participating in offensive operations against Iran.When questioned during a visit to Cyprus about whether he would rule out UK involvement in attacking Iranian targets, Mr Healey indicated flexibility was essential.”As circumstances in any conflict change, you’ve got to be willing to adapt the action you take,” he told Sky News.The Defence Secretary outlined measures already underway, including the overnight deployment of anti-drone helicopters and plans to bring in a Type 45 air defence destroyer within the coming fortnight.He added that senior military planners were being brought in to coordinate contributions alongside allied nations, with German and Greek vessels now operating in the region.The Government is working to bring British nationals home from the region, with Sir Keir confirming that a chartered evacuation flight from Oman to the UK had departed after being delayed overnight.Britain began positioning military assets in the area during January and February, the Prime Minister revealed, with forces deployed particularly to Qatar and Cyprus.RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was struck by a drone earlier this week, raising concerns about defensive capabilities at the base.HMS Dragon, a Type 45 air defence destroyer, will be sent to protect the facility, though current plans indicate the vessel will not leave British waters until next week.Sir Keir maintained he was “satisfied we can keep our people safe”.
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