Trump and Starmer hold urgent call on Middle East war and military ties

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by phone on Sunday, March 8, to discuss the conflict in the Middle East and military coordination between the two allies, according to a statement from Downing Street.

The call followed public criticism from Trump over Britain’s initial decision not to allow US forces to use its bases in strikes against Iran.

British officials later approved the limited use of Royal Air Force facilities for defensive operations in the region. 

Trump and Keir Starmer discuss 'military cooperation'

Trump told Starmer that his help was not needed, even as the US used UK bases for Iran strikes.

According to a statement from the British government, the two leaders spoke about the evolving situation in the Middle East and cooperation between their militaries as operations continued in the region.

“The leaders began by discussing the latest situation in the Middle East and the military cooperation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region,” Starmer’s office said in a statement.

The discussion followed a shift in Britain’s position regarding US military access to its bases. Initially, Starmer declined to authorize their use in the first wave of strikes against Iranian targets, citing the need for a legal basis and a clear operational plan.

In remarks to Parliament earlier in the week, Starmer said that he was not prepared for Britain “to join a war unless satisfied there was a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan.”

However, after Iran began launching missile attacks across the region, the British government authorized what it described as “specific and limited defensive purpose” operations from UK bases.

Officials said those missions were intended to prevent Iranian missile strikes and protect allied forces and civilians. 

According to Downing Street, the prime minister shared his “heartfelt condolences” with Trump and the American people after six US service members were killed during the fighting.

White House yet to issue formal statement on the call

The cooperation came after Trump previously publicly criticized the British government for not immediately backing the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. 

In a message posted on his social media platform on Saturday, the president rebuked Britain’s delayed response to the conflict.

“The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump wrote. 

“That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer – But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!” Trump added.

The criticism came even as US forces began using British military facilities for operations related to the conflict.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that four US bombers had arrived at a Royal Air Force base in the United Kingdom and had already started conducting missions from the location.

According to the ministry, the aircraft were carrying out operations “to prevent Iran from firing missiles into the region, which is putting British lives at risk.”

The United Kingdom also increased preparations for a possible deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Middle East as tensions in the region continue.