Sir Keir Starmer has rejected criticism from Donald Trump after the US president said he was “very disappointed” that Britain declined to join American and Israeli strikes on Iran. The prime minister confirmed the UK would not participate in offensive military action but has permitted US forces to use British bases for what he described as limited, defensive purposes.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Starmer made clear that while Britain supports efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, it would not take part in direct attacks. “President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes,” he said. “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.”
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Trump suggested Starmer had delayed granting permission for US forces to operate from British facilities, including those in the Chagos Islands. “He took far too long,” the US president said, adding that it “sounds like he was worried about the legality.”
Starmer has repeatedly emphasised that any UK action must be grounded in international law, invoking lessons from the Iraq war. “We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learned those lessons,” he told MPs. “Any UK action must always have a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan.”
While ruling out offensive involvement, the prime minister confirmed that Britain has allowed American forces to use UK bases to target Iranian missile launch sites and storage facilities. He framed the decision as a defensive necessity, arguing that it is “simply not possible to shoot down every Iranian missile and every drone after they’ve been launched.” Instead, the US has been granted permission to strike at what officials described as the “archer” — the launch infrastructure — rather than attempting to intercept missiles mid-flight.
The move comes amid escalating tensions across the Middle East. Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks on targets in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. A drone strike also hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on Sunday, damaging a runway. Defence officials stressed that the UK is not at war with Iran.
Around 300,000 British nationals are believed to be in countries affected by the crisis, with more than 102,000 having registered their presence with the Foreign Office. Starmer urged Britons in the region to register and follow updated travel advice, warning that airspace closures and security threats may persist. Rapid deployment teams are being sent to assist citizens, and contingency plans — including possible evacuations — are under consideration.
The crisis has also intensified political debate at home. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the government of “dither and delay” and questioned why ministers would not clearly endorse US action. She argued that concerns about international law should not prevent Britain from taking a firm stance alongside allies.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey went further in criticising Trump, calling the US operation “an illegal war” and suggesting that wealthy tax exiles living in the Gulf should contribute more to UK defence spending.
Starmer, however, maintained that the UK’s position strikes the right balance between alliance solidarity and legal restraint. He described the Iranian regime as “utterly abhorrent,” citing its support for proxy attacks and alleged threats on UK soil, but insisted that the long-term objective of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons “will have to be achieved at the negotiating table.”
For the prime minister, the shadow of Iraq looms large. By distancing Britain from direct combat while still enabling US operations, Starmer is attempting to navigate between transatlantic loyalty and domestic caution — a path that may define his leadership in an increasingly volatile world.
