British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday defended his decision to keep the United Kingdom out of the initial US-Israeli strikes on Iran, saying the UK would act only within international law and its own national interest, even as US President Donald Trump criticised London’s stance.
Speaking to Parliament, Keir Starmer said his government would protect its citizens and regional allies from Iranian attacks but would not join offensive military action.
On Sunday, the UK agreed to allow limited US use of British bases for defensive purposes after Iranian missiles and drones threatened British nationals and facilities across the region. The UK had earlier reportedly turned down a US request to use British bases for strikes on Iran.
Donald Trump had earlier told the Daily Telegraph that Britain took “far too much time” to allow US access to bases including Diego Garcia and claimed Keir Starmer had been “worried about the legality” of the strikes. However, the US President later said it was “useful” that US forces could now operate from Diego Garcia but repeated he was “very disappointed in Keir”.
UK WON’T JOIN OFFENSIVE STRIKES
“We were not involved in the initial strikes against Iran, and we will not join offensive action now. But in the face of Iran’s barrage of missiles and drones, we will protect our people in the region,” Starmer told parliament.
He said his decision had drawn disagreement from Washington. “President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes, but it is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest. That is what I’ve done, and I stand by it.”
IRAQ WAR STILL WEIGHS ON UK CHOICES
Addressing Parliament, the UK PM said his approach was shaped by Britain’s experience of the Iraq invasion in 2003. “We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learned those lessons. Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis, and a viable, thought through plan,” he said.
“This government does not believe in regime change from the skies,” he added, arguing that aerial bombardment alone could not remove Iran’s leadership.
Keir Starmer said allowing defensive use of UK facilities was necessary to protect around 300,000 British nationals living across the Middle East, where Iranian missiles and drones have struck airports, hotels and military sites in several Gulf countries.
“It is very clear that the death of the Supreme Leader will not stop Iran from launching these strikes,” he said. “In fact, their approach is becoming even more reckless and more dangerous to civilians.”
On Sunday, an Iranian-made drone struck Britain’s RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, causing limited damage but no casualties, officials said. At least 555 people have been killed in Iran since the US-Israeli strikes began, according to the Red Crescent Society. Four US troops have been killed in the escalation.
With inputs from agencies
