Donald Trump has again hit out at Sir Keir Starmer over the UK’s involvement in the Iran conflict, saying “we don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won”.
It comes after the Ministry of Defence said it was increasing the preparedness of HMS Prince of Wales and reducing the time it would take to deploy.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, the president said: “The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East.
“That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer — But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!”
Trump’s post comes amid mounting tension between the two countries over Starmer’s decision not to join the initial US-Israel strikes on Iran.
The UK has since agreed to allow the US to use its bases for “specific defensive operations”, with B-1 bomber jets seen landing at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Saturday.
The Ministry of Defence said the US was using the bases for “specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region” and putting British lives at risk.
A Merlin helicopter is also being sent to the region to help with surveillance from the air and RAF Typhoon and F-35 jets are continuing air operations over Jordan, Qatar and Cyprus.
Earlier this week, the president said he was “not happy” with Starmer over his decision not to get involved in the initial strikes.
He also said, “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with”, after Starmer denied him permission to launch strikes on Iran from UK territory.
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The prime minister has sought to play down the rift and, after Trump’s latest rebuke, Downing Street pointed back to Starmer’s earlier comments that the special relationship is “in operation right now” as the two countries share intelligence and work together.
The two leaders had a phone call on Sunday afternoon, in which they discussed the latest situation in the Middle East and their military cooperation through the use of RAF bases, Downing Street said.
A spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister spoke with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, this afternoon.
“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 Prime Minister also shared his heartfelt condolences with President Trump and the American people following the deaths of six US soldiers.
“They looked forward to speaking again soon.”
Questions linger over the UK’s future role in the conflict, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy suggesting RAF jets could legally strike Iranian missile sites being used to attack British interests in the Middle East.
Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, has signalled that the UK could join more proactive strikes in future, saying “campaigns and conflicts evolve over time”.
The Iranian ambassador to the UK told the BBC the UK should be “very careful” about becoming further involved in the war.
Starmer has faced criticism about the government’s approach and claims of a lack of preparedness, but has defended his decision not to permit the US to use British bases in the opening assault against the Tehran regime, suggesting it could have been unlawful and arguing the Government must keep a “cool head”.
Writing in the Sunday Mirror, Starmer said at moments like this the country needs “seriousness, not political games”.
He said: “While opposition parties seek to undermine Britain on the world stage, my Labour Government is focused on protecting British people at home and abroad.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, meanwhile, accused the prime minister of being “too scared to make foreign interventions” and said the UK is “in this war whether Keir Starmer likes it or not” in a speech on Saturday.
But the Lib Dems urged Sir Keir to stand up to the US and accused Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of wanting Britain to “blindly follow Trump into his reckless war”.
“The Prime Minister must stand firm against Trump’s bullying and avoid getting sucked further into this illegal and damaging war,” Sir Ed Davey said.
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