Keir Starmer has defended the UK government’s approach to the conflict involving Iran, insisting that protecting British nationals remains his “number one priority.”
The remarks came after Donald Trump criticised the British prime minister for refusing to allow the use of UK military bases during the initial US–Israel strikes on Saturday, describing him as “no Winston Churchill.”
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of “asking our allies to do what we should be doing ourselves” by declining to take “offensive action” following attacks on British bases in Bahrain and Cyprus.
In response, the prime minister said he would not allow the UK to enter a war without “a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan.”
Although Britain later agreed on Sunday to a US request to use its military bases, the approval was limited to defensive strikes on Iranian missile sites rather than offensive operations.
Trump reacted sharply to the earlier refusal, calling the decision “shocking” and suggesting the historic US–UK alliance was “not what it was.”
Starmer dismissed the suggestion that the relationship had weakened, arguing that American aircraft operating from British bases showed “the special relationship in action” rather than the UK “hanging on to President Trump’s latest words.”
He told MPs that the UK was already taking steps to counter the threat, including deploying aircraft to intercept incoming attacks, strengthening military capabilities in Cyprus, and allowing US aircraft to use British facilities to target Iran’s strike capabilities.
Starmer added that the UK had been quietly reinforcing its presence in the region for weeks, deploying radar systems, ground-based air defence, counter-drone systems and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets.
He also confirmed that Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone technology would arrive in Cyprus during the week, while the Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon (D35) is set to be deployed to the region.
Badenoch, however, criticised the strategy, saying the government was “catching arrows rather than stopping the archer.”
She added: “I would say to Labour MPs, we are in this war whether they like it or not. What is the prime minister waiting for?”
Following the parliamentary exchange, officials confirmed that HMS Dragon is expected to sail from Portsmouth next week after being loaded with ammunition. Two Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet missiles are also expected to reach Cyprus earlier.
Earlier, former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt argued that Starmer had “made a big misjudgement” by initially refusing US access to British bases for offensive strikes.
Speaking to the BBC, Hunt said international law on such interventions “is not settled on this issue” and depends on whether there is an imminent threat of attack from Iran. He warned that weakening the alliance with the United States could be a strategic mistake.
Meanwhile, retired British Army general Richard Shirreff said Britain must focus on protecting its own interests, noting that the United States has indicated it may no longer fully guarantee European security.
At the diplomatic level, Middle East minister Hamish Falconer confirmed that the UK had summoned Iran’s ambassador to condemn Tehran’s actions and its role in escalating regional tensions.
The government has also arranged additional charter flights from Oman to evacuate British citizens stranded in the region following retaliatory attacks launched by Iran against Israel and several US-allied states in the Gulf.