British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his decision not to participate in the first wave of joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran, after President Donald Trump criticized London for delaying approval of access to the base.
“President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to engage in the initial attacks,” Starmer said.
“But it is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest. That is what I have done and I stand by it.”
Trump had accused the British leader of taking “too long” to allow US forces to use bases linked to the UK, including Diego Garcia, during the initial phase of the Iran campaign.