Trump Criticizes UK Delay in Approving Use of Airbases Against Iran

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced his displeasure with the United Kingdom's initial reluctance to allow the United States to use its airbases for operations against Iran, escalating tensions between the two allies.

Trump specifically called out Labour Leader Keir Starmer, expressing disappointment over his stance regarding the use of the strategically vital Diego Garcia airbase.

According to Trump, Britain initially hesitated in granting the U.S. access to shared bases for airstrikes against Iranian targets. While Starmer later affirmed his support for the U.S. request in any "defensive" strikes, Trump suggested Starmer was overly concerned about the legality of the strikes, according to an interview published Monday in the Daily Telegraph.

"It took them a long time," Trump stated, suggesting Starmer was slow to come around. "That probably has never happened between our two countries before."

Trump argued that Starmer should have immediately approved the use of Diego Garcia, a strategically important U.S.-British airbase in the Indian Ocean, emphasizing that Iran is responsible for the deaths of "many people from your country."

The criticism comes amidst heightened tensions in the region, following reported U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and retaliatory missile attacks targeting Gulf states hosting U.S. bases. A recent drone strike, allegedly of Iranian origin, also caused limited damage to the British Royal Air Force base in Akrotiri, Cyprus.

Furthermore, Trump criticized Starmer's stance on the Chagos Islands agreement, which Britain asserts secures the future of the Diego Garcia base by transferring sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius. Trump suggested his negative view of the agreement stemmed from Britain's initial refusal to allow the base to be used for potential strikes against Iran.

A spokesperson for Starmer maintained that bilateral relations with the United States and Trump remain strong. "Britain and the United States are strong allies, as we have been for many decades," the spokesperson said, adding that the shift in position occurred because "Iran is harming British interests and posing a significant threat to the British people, alongside our allies in the region."