Starmer Tells Trump: You Can’t Pressure Me Over Iran War
Keir Starmer has told Donald Trump he won’t be “pressured” into changing his position on the Iran war.
The prime minister said he “will not be wavering” in his belief that America and Israel’s attacks were illegal and that the president has no plan for what comes next.
Starmer angered Trump by initially refusing permission for American jets to use RAF bases to launch bombing raids.
Giving evidence to the Liaison Committee of senior MPs, the PM said: “The principles I’ve applied throughout is that for any UK action, there must be a lawful basis, and a viable and thought-through plan. That is why we didn’t join the original offensive strikes.”
He added: “This is not our war, and we are not getting dragged into this war.”
Trump has launched a series of attacks on the PM since the war began more than three weeks ago.
His most recent jibe came on Sunday when he shared a Saturday Night Live UK sketch portraying Starmer as weak, indecisive and scared of Trump.
Asked by Liaison Committee chair Meg Hillier about the president’s “quite rude” behaviour, the PM said: “I’m utterly focused on what is in the best interests of our country and I am unapologetic about that.
“Notwithstanding the pressure that comes from elsewhere, I will remain laser focused on what is in the British national interest.
“And a lot of what is said or done is undoubtedly said and done to put pressure on me, I have no doubt about that. I understand what is going on.
“But I am not going to be wavering on this. I am the British prime minister and my job is to be absolutely focused on what is in the British national interest.
“That has served me well in recent weeks and that is the principle that I will continue to adhere to as we go forward taking difficult decisions.”