U.S.-U.K. relationship ‘not like it used to be’: Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump criticised U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the U.K.’s refusal to support the initial U.S.-Israel offensive strikes on Iran, saying the U.S.-U.K. relationship was “not like it used to be”. Mr Starmer had not permitted the U.S. access to U.K. bases initially, later, permitting access for “agreed defensive purposes” only.

The relationship was the “most solid relationship of all,” Mr. Trump told The Sun newspaper, adding, “And now we have very strong relationships with other countries in Europe.” The relationship between London and Washington is often referred to as a “special relationship” by both governments.

“He [Mr. Starmer] has not been helpful… I never thought I’d see that from the U.K. We love the U.K.,” Mr. Trump said as per reports.

Addressing the House of Commons on Monday (March 2, 2026) evening, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had said there was a “deliberate” decision not to get involved in the initial U.S.-Israel strike on Iran, which began on Saturday (February 28, 2026) morning, and that the U.K. preferred instead to pursue a negotiated settlement.

“President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the intiial strikes,” the Prime Minister said, adding that he was however acting in Britain’s interest in not joining the strike.

“We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learned those lessons,” Mr. Starmer said. The Prime Minister repeatedly said that his government had sought legal advice before undertaking operations in the region and that it did not “believe in regime change from the skies”.

A drone had hit the British base RAF Akrotiri on Sunday (February 28, 2026) night, Mr. Starmer said. He was quick to emphasise that the base, located in Cyprus, was not being used by U.S. bombers, after the U.K. was criticised for poor communication by the Cyprus government. While the British government has not officially identified the source of the drones, Cypriot officials had suggested that it was launched from Lebanon, home to Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The Conservative Party backed the U.S. actions, party leader Kemi Badenoch said, as she criticised Mr Starmer for taking time to permit allies to use U.K. bases. She stopped short of suggesting that Britain should have joined the U.S.-Israel strikes. Ms. Badenoch also pointed out that the U.S. was necessary for Ukraine’ sand Europe’ s security.

The far right Reform U.K. also criticized Mr. Starmer for not joining the strikes.