By LONDON, March 2 (AfrikTimes) — Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his actions in the Middle East on Monday, dismissing criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump over Britain’s decision not to join strikes against Iran. Starmer said his choices were guided by the law and Britain’s “national interest.”
Addressing parliament, Starmer explained that he authorized the “limited” use of British military bases by the U.S. on Sunday after Britons came under attack from “reckless” Iranian drone and missile strikes. However, he stood by his decision not to participate in the “offensive strikes” launched against Iran on Saturday. Starmer has faced criticism from multiple sides in Britain, with the left urging condemnation of U.S. and Israeli actions, while the right, including populist Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, criticised him for not supporting the 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 a silent parliament.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during Prime Minister’s Questions at the House of Commons in London, Britain. Source: UK Parliament.
“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.”
STARMER WARNS OF ‘MISTAKES OF IRAQ’
Earlier, Trump told the Daily Telegraph that he believed Britain had taken too long to let Washington use its bases in operations against Iran. In an interview published on Monday Trump said Starmer appeared to be “worried about the legality” of the strikes. “That’s probably never happened between our countries before,” Trump said of the disagreement, adding Starmer’s shift in stance took “far too much time”.
A former human rights lawyer, Starmer has long promoted his “iron-clad” commitment to international law. In parliament, he said he did not want to repeat mistakes made over the invasion of Iraq in 2003, when Britain joined U.S. action to remove Saddam Hussein that was justified on false claims that the country had weapons of mass destruction.
“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,” Starmer said. “This government does not believe in regime change from the skies.”
Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein
BRITAIN WILL DEFEND BRITONS, ALLIES IN THE REGION
The U.S. and Israel launched unprovoked air strikes against Iran on Saturday, resulting in the death of its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Trump criticised Starmer for not immediately approving the use of the strategically important Diego Garcia air base.
Late Sunday, Starmer said he accepted a U.S. request for their use in any “defensive” strikes against Iranian targets. He said this was essential to defend the 300,000 Britons who are in the region, where Iran has struck hotels and airports with missiles and drones in Gulf countries hosting U.S. bases.
Opposition parties immediately criticised Starmer for what they called yet another U-turn in his premiership, while Farage labelled the response to Iran’s strikes “frankly pathetic”, claims Starmer denied.
“It is very clear that the death of the Supreme Leader will not stop Iran from launching these strikes,” Starmer said. “In fact, their approach is becoming even more reckless and more dangerous to civilians.”
On Sunday, an Iranian-made drone hit Britain’s RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, causing limited damage and no casualties.
Trump said it was “useful” that the U.S. would now be able to launch operations from Diego Garcia but said he was “very disappointed in Keir” for a deal Starmer made on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands where it is based. Trump has changed position on the Chagos deal, which Britain says secures the future of the base from future legal challenges while transferring sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius.
Starmer’s spokesperson said bilateral relations with the United States and Trump remained strong.
“The UK and U.S. are staunch allies, as we have been for many decades,” the spokesperson told reporters.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addresses the nation in a state television broadcast in an image provided by the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran on June 18, 2025.Source: Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran.
Additional reporting by Sarah Young, Elizabeth Piper.
