Trump rebukes Starmer over UK refusal to back strikes on Iran

[groundloop]

Source: The Guardian

Donald Trump has criticised Keir Starmer again over the UK’s refusal to aid the offensive strikes on Iran, saying the “relationship is obviously not what it was”.

Starmer had issued his strongest rebuke yet of Trump’s action in Iran, saying the UK did not believe in “regime change from the skies” and defended his decision not to allow the use of British bases to conduct the strikes.

But the prime minister said the UK would allow the use of its bases for defensive action to protect allied forces and nations in the Gulf and Middle East who have been hit by a wave of retaliatory strikes after the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Speaking to the Sun, Trump compared Starmer’s actions unfavourably with France’s support for the strikes and with the backing of the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte. “He has not been helpful. I never thought I’d see that. I never thought I’d see that from the UK. We love the UK,” he said.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/03/trump-starmer-uk-refusal-back-iran-strikes

[Miguelito Loveless]

1. So, France is helping?

Has this been confirmed?

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. As far as I can tell, France is not helping in attacks on Iran

I don't think they have the exact equivalent of the RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia airbases, which are run purely for US use. So they haven't had the same question of "is it fine if attacks are launched from there?" Starmer at first refused that; now he's OKed "defensive action" against missile launching sites (which means some mid-level officer in the USAF signs something saying "yes, honestly, we restricted the targets for these flight to missile launchers, no, we'd never lie to you about that", and Starmer has a piece of paper to wave at international lawyers).

I think this means Starmer's and Macron's positions are still roughly the same. Rutte, SecGen of NATO, is more gung-ho (cheerleading Trump, basically), but he doesn't get elected by normal people.

[Miguelito Loveless]

4. Rutte was frankly kissing up

to the Child Rapist. Glad to hear France is not involved.

[gab13by13]

2. Starmer isn't in the Epstein files.

[Ray Bruns]

6. And he's not controlled by Netanyahu.

[William Seger]

5. "relationship is obviously not what it was" because of YOU, JACKASS!

Our relationship with countries around the world “is obviously not what it was” — you've alienated ALL of our allies! I really don't think we can handle 3 more years of this — IMPEACHMENT is the only way to start restoring our relationships.

[niyad]

7. I thought both France and the UK were helping. Read that yesterday.

[NH Ethylene]

8. When Bush attacked Iraq,

There was a big PR campaign for months in advance and his administration worked to get other counties involved. Of course, it was a bad idea with bad outcomes. But Trump just plunges in and expects support. I'm very glad he is not getting it.