By Elsie Kamsiyochi
LONDON, March 2 – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has forcefully defended his government’s response to the escalating conflict with Iran, rejecting criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and insisting that every decision taken by Britain has been guided by international law and the country’s national interest.
Addressing a tense House of Commons on Monday, Starmer confirmed that Britain had not participated in the initial U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran but had later authorised the limited use of British military bases for what he described as “defensive operations.” His remarks came after Trump publicly criticised the UK for failing to join the first wave of airstrikes and for delaying permission for the United States to operate from key British-controlled facilities.
“We were not involved in the initial strikes against Iran, and we will not join offensive action now,” Starmer told MPs in a silent chamber. “But in the face of Iran’s barrage of missiles and drones, we will protect our people in the region.”
Balancing Alliance and Autonomy
The disagreement marks a rare public divergence between London and Washington. Trump, speaking to the Daily Telegraph earlier in the day, suggested Britain had taken “far too much time” to authorise U.S. use of its bases and implied that Starmer had been overly concerned with legal considerations.
“That’s probably never happened between our countries before,” Trump said, describing the delay as disappointing.
Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, has repeatedly emphasised his commitment to international law. In parliament, he made clear that the UK would not be drawn into what he termed “regime change from the skies,” a pointed reference to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, when Britain joined U.S. forces in removing Saddam Hussein based on later-discredited claims about weapons of mass destruction.
“We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learned those lessons,” Starmer said. “Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan. This government does not believe in regime change from the skies.”
Defensive Cooperation After Iranian Strikes
The crisis intensified after Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Gulf, targeting airports, hotels and infrastructure in countries hosting U.S. bases. According to the government, around 300,000 British nationals are currently in the region.
On Sunday, an Iranian-made drone struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, causing limited damage but no casualties. The incident prompted Starmer to approve U.S. access to British facilities, including the strategically vital base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, for defensive operations.
Starmer argued that allowing the United States to use British bases was necessary to protect British citizens and personnel from further attacks. “In the face of reckless and escalating strikes, we must act responsibly to defend our people,” he said.
However, the move drew criticism from multiple sides of the political spectrum. Some lawmakers on the left accused the prime minister of enabling further escalation, while on the right, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage condemned Starmer for not backing U.S. action from the outset, calling his response “frankly pathetic.”
Political Headwinds at Home
The prime minister’s handling of the crisis has exposed divisions within British politics. Critics argue that his government’s response has appeared reactive rather than decisive. Supporters counter that Starmer’s caution reflects lessons learned from past military entanglements and demonstrates a principled approach to foreign policy.
Trump also expressed frustration over a separate agreement concerning the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, where Diego Garcia is located. Britain recently reached a deal to transfer sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius while securing the long-term future of the military base. Trump suggested the arrangement complicated U.S. operations, though British officials insist it protects the base from future legal challenges.
Despite the public disagreement, Downing Street sought to downplay tensions between the allies. A spokesperson reiterated that the UK and U.S. remain “staunch allies” with decades of shared strategic cooperation.
“The UK and U.S. are steadfast partners,” the spokesperson said. “Our cooperation in defence and security remains strong.”
A Delicate Path Forward
As the conflict in the Middle East shows no sign of immediate de-escalation, Starmer faces the challenge of maintaining Britain’s security commitments without being drawn deeper into a widening regional war.
He warned MPs that the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader would not necessarily halt Iranian strikes and could instead lead to more unpredictable and dangerous behaviour.
“It is very clear that the death of the Supreme Leader will not stop Iran from launching these attacks,” Starmer said. “In fact, their approach is becoming even more reckless and more dangerous to civilians.”
For now, Britain’s position remains one of defensive cooperation without direct participation in offensive operations. Whether that balance can be maintained — amid pressure from Washington and domestic political rivals — will likely define Starmer’s foreign policy legacy in the months ahead.
Source Reuters
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