LONDON — UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone call with US President Donald Trump on March 8 to address the escalating Middle East conflict, following sharp public rebukes from the American leader over Britain’s initial hesitation to join US-Israeli strikes against Iran. The discussion, announced by Starmer’s office, focused on regional updates and military collaboration without directly tackling their strained personal rapport.
The leaders reviewed the latest developments in the war, which erupted on February 28, and highlighted UK-US cooperation via RAF bases supporting allies’ collective self-defense. Starmer extended condolences for the loss of six US soldiers, with both agreeing to speak again soon. Notably absent from the readout: any reference to Trump’s recent barbs, including calling Starmer no “Winston Churchill” and labeling Britain a “once Great Ally” for delaying involvement.
Starmer had nurtured ties with the unpredictable Trump, hosting him for a rare second state visit in 2025. Tensions boiled when he rejected early US requests to use British bases for offensive strikes on Iran. He later approved limited defensive use of RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and the joint Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, where US bombers commenced operations on March 7.
Defending the pivot, Starmer stressed that UK actions require a “lawful basis and viable plan,” pointing to Iran’s missile retaliation against British interests as justification. Trump’s March 7 post accused Starmer of jumping in “after we’ve already won,” underscoring the diplomatic rift even as military alignment resumes.