02.03.2026 16:04
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for saying that it "took too long" to allow the use of British bases, including Diego Garcia, in U.S. operations against Iran. Starmer had granted permission for U.S. forces to use British bases for limited operations against missile targets in Iran after his initial reservations.
U.S. President Donald Trump harshly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for taking too long to decide on allowing the use of British bases for U.S. operations targeting Iran. Trump stated that this process "took too much time."
Starmer announced in a statement last Sunday evening that he had allowed U.S. forces to use British military bases for a limited role in operations targeting missile sites in Iran. Accordingly, the U.S. will be able to utilize British bases to target Iran's missile sites. This decision is considered a critical logistical step in the war strategy of the U.K. and the U.S.
Trump specifically referred to the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean among British bases, stating that Starmer's decision-making process took a long time and that this was a unique situation between two NATO allies. Trump also suggested that Starmer was delayed in his decision-making process due to legal concerns.
STARMER'S DECISION AND CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS
Initially, Starmer had stated that the U.K. would not directly participate in the U.S.-Israel operation against Iran, but with recent developments, he announced that he had granted permission for the use of bases to the U.S. This step was noted to have been taken considering the civilian casualties in the region and the increasing threat posed by ballistic missiles launched by Iran. The U.K. Ministry of Defence also announced that it defined this limited permission to defend the U.K.'s interests and allies in the region in accordance with international law.
ATTACK ON AKROTIRI BASE
Before Starmer's decision, the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus was targeted by an attack from an unmanned aerial vehicle believed to be of Iranian origin. This attack caused limited damage around the base, but no injuries were reported; the development triggered discussions about Britain's potentially more active indirect involvement in the conflict.
TRUMP'S CRITICISM
In an interview with the Telegraph, Trump criticized Starmer's decision, emphasizing that London's delay in granting bases to the U.S. was "a unique event." Trump reiterated the need for strong relations between the two countries but pointed out that such delays could weaken operational effectiveness.
REGIONAL CONFLICT AND INTERNATIONAL REACTION
Starmer's permission came at a time when the U.S. was continuing its attacks against Iran; military targets against Iran have largely focused on missile infrastructure and command centers. While European leaders called for diplomacy, the U.K.'s move has brought various discussions back to the forefront in the context of international law and operational responsibility.