Starmer has defended his initial decision and maintained his stance that Britain will not participate in offensive operations, but he has authorized defensive support for U.K. bases and regional partners, including the RAF base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, which has come under attack.
Trump has also criticized other NATO allies, after several countries resisted his call for them to send warships to help secure the Strait. Trump labeled the response a “very foolish mistake.”
On Friday, Trump hit out at NATO nations once more, calling them “cowards” for not joining the military operations in Iran.
“Without the USA, NATO is a paper tiger! They didn’t want to join the fight to stop a nuclear-powered Iran,” he said. “They complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk.”