President Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” in British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for hesitating before allowing the United States to use British military bases to launch strikes against Iran, arguing the decision came far too late given the circumstances.
In remarks to The Telegraph, Trump criticized Starmer’s initial reluctance to back the joint U.S.-Israeli military operation, saying the delay was unprecedented in the long history of cooperation between the two allies.
“That’s probably never happened between our countries before,” Trump said, referring to the hesitation over granting access to U.K. bases.
Starmer had initially declined to endorse the operation, expressing concerns that the strikes could breach international law. However, after Iranian attacks unfolded across the Middle East, he approved the use of British bases Sunday night. London described the action as limited, defensive strikes aimed at Iranian missile depots and launchers.
Trump acknowledged that the decision ultimately proved “useful,” but he made clear that he believed permission should have been granted sooner.
“It sounds like he was worried about the legality,” Trump said of Starmer’s initial hesitation.
The president argued that the stakes were too high for delay, asserting that Iran had killed “a lot of people” from the United Kingdom. In his view, the urgency of the threat should have prompted faster action from London.
The criticism marks a rare moment of public tension between Washington and London at a time when both nations are engaged in coordinated military operations. Historically, the United States and the United Kingdom have maintained close defense ties, particularly when confronting shared security threats.
Trump also took the opportunity to renew criticism of Starmer over a separate issue: the proposed agreement to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia, a critical joint U.K.-U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean.
Under the proposed arrangement, Mauritius would assume sovereignty over the islands, with the U.K. retaining access to Diego Garcia through a lease agreement. Trump indicated he believed the matter should have been handled differently.
“All of a sudden [Mauritius] was claiming ownership. He should have fought it out and owned it or make him take it, if you want to know the truth. But no, we were very disappointed in Keir,” Trump said.
The United Kingdom has since paused legislation to ratify the Chagos agreement while consulting with Washington, signaling that discussions between the two governments are ongoing.
Meanwhile, tensions in the region continued to escalate. On Sunday night, an unmanned Iranian drone struck the runway at a British air base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, underscoring the widening scope of the conflict.
As military operations continue, Trump’s remarks highlight his insistence on swift, decisive action when confronting adversaries. While he ultimately welcomed the U.K.’s approval of base access, he left little doubt that he expects America’s closest allies to move quickly and firmly when security threats emerge.
The episode underscores the delicate balance between legal considerations, alliance politics, and the urgency of military operations in a rapidly evolving conflict.
[READ MORE: Trump Says ‘Friendly Takeover’ Of Cuba Could Be In The Cards]
