Washington/London — U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have discussed military cooperation between the two countries in the Middle East amid escalating tensions involving Iran.
According to a statement from the British government, the two leaders spoke by phone about the role of U.K. bases in supporting joint defense efforts with regional partners. The discussion comes as the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel continues to intensify across the region.
Earlier, Trump had criticized Starmer for refusing to allow U.S. forces to use British military bases during the initial phase of attacks against Iran. The U.S. president reportedly questioned London’s commitment and at one point said that Starmer was “not Winston Churchill.”
However, the situation appears to have shifted after Iran launched attacks across the region. Following those developments, Starmer has now authorized the use of British bases for what officials described as “defensive” actions targeting Iranian missile sites.
Downing Street said the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of U.S.–U.K. military cooperation and coordination in responding to regional threats and supporting collective self-defense.
The conversation comes at a time of heightened instability in the Middle East, with multiple countries involved in escalating military exchanges and concerns growing over a wider regional conflict.
