British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump have held their first conversation since tensions erupted over Britain’s refusal to participate in the initial US offensive strikes against Iran.
Downing Street confirmed that the two leaders spoke about the escalating situation in the Middle East and ongoing military coordination between the UK and the United States.
According to a statement from No 10, the discussion included cooperation through the use of British airbases to support defensive operations in the region.
“The leaders began by discussing the latest situation in the Middle East and the military cooperation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region,” the statement said.
During the call, Starmer also expressed condolences to the United States following the deaths of six American soldiers during the conflict.
The conversation comes after Trump publicly criticised Britain for refusing a US request to allow its bases to be used for the opening wave of offensive strikes on Iran.
The UK government instead agreed to permit American forces to use British facilities only for defensive strikes aimed at intercepting Iranian missiles.
Trump voiced his frustration over the decision, suggesting the UK was hesitant to fully support the United States in the conflict.
In one social media post, the president dismissed reports that Britain might send aircraft carriers to the region, writing: “We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!” while referring to Britain as “our once great ally.”
The US leader has repeatedly criticised Starmer over the decision. Earlier this week, Trump said he was “not happy with the UK” and claimed the British prime minister was “no Winston Churchill.”
Despite the criticism, the UK government has maintained that it will not participate in the wider offensive military campaign.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the government’s position, saying Britain must make decisions based on its own national interests rather than automatically aligning with US policy.
“It’s for the US president to decide what he thinks is in the US national interest,” Cooper said. “But it is our job as the UK government to decide what’s in the UK national interest.”
She added that the UK would not necessarily agree with Washington on every issue and warned against both unquestioning support for US military actions and complete rejection of cooperation.
“We would provide defensive support when we see Iranian strikes on partner countries where British citizens are residing,” she said.
As part of those defensive measures, British RAF jets have already been deployed to the region to intercept Iranian missiles and drones targeting allied countries.
The aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has also been placed on advanced readiness, although the government has not confirmed whether it will be deployed to the Middle East.
The debate over Britain’s role in the conflict has also drawn intervention from former prime minister Tony Blair, who led the UK into the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Speaking at a private event, Blair reportedly argued that Britain should have backed the US strikes from the beginning, describing the United States as an “indispensable cornerstone” of the UK’s security.
Cooper, who served as a junior minister during Blair’s government when Britain joined the Iraq war, said policymakers must learn lessons from that conflict.
She said those lessons included recognising that every decision about military involvement must prioritise the interests and safety of British citizens.
Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to London, Seyed Ali Mousavi, warned Britain to be “very careful” about expanding its involvement in the war.
Mousavi cautioned that if British military bases or facilities were used in attacks against Iran, they could be treated as “legitimate targets.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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