President Donald Trump criticized UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, calling him “no Winston Churchill,” amid tensions over Britain’s limited support for initial US-Israel strikes against Iran.
Dispute Centers on Diego Garcia Base
The conflict focuses on the military base at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands. Britain approved a US request on Sunday to use its bases solely for “defensive” operations targeting Iranian missile sites.
Speaking to journalists in the Oval Office, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the UK’s stance, noting it forced US aircraft to fly “many extra hours.”
UK Bolsters Mediterranean Presence
In response, the Royal Navy deployed warship HMS Dragon to the Mediterranean region to protect an airbase in Cyprus.
