Washington: Tensions between the United States and the United Kingdom have escalated after Donald Trump said Washington does not need British aircraft carriers in the Middle East during the ongoing war with Iran.
The US president dismissed reports that the UK might deploy naval assets to the region. His remarks came after the British Ministry of Defence placed the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales on high readiness.
Growing divide between allies
Trump’s comments highlight a growing divide between Washington and London since he returned to the White House last year. The rift has intensified during the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.
The conflict has triggered widespread instability across the Middle East, with retaliatory strikes from Tehran targeting US allies throughout the region.
So far, an estimated 1,332 people have been killed in Iran. The United States has confirmed the deaths of six service members, while additional casualties have been reported in Lebanon, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq.
UK expands involvement but avoids offensive role
The British government has increased its involvement in the crisis, though it maintains that it is not participating in offensive military operations.
The UK Defence Ministry confirmed that Washington has been allowed to use several British bases for what it described as limited defensive purposes. These include RAF Fairford and the strategic Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Initially, reports suggested that Starmer had blocked US access to the facilities following the first US-Israeli strikes.
Starmer faces pressure at home
In the immediate aftermath of the conflict’s outbreak, Starmer appeared cautious about deeper military involvement. Alongside leaders of France and Germany, he issued a joint statement emphasising that any actions taken would be defensive.
Addressing the UK Parliament, Starmer reiterated that Britain is not joining US or Israeli offensive strikes, stressing the need to protect Britain’s national interest and British lives.
War unpopular among British public
Public opinion in the UK has largely turned against the conflict. A recent survey by Survation found that 43 percent of respondents believe the war is unjustified.
The poll also showed majority support for Starmer’s initial reluctance to allow US forces to use British bases, with 56 percent backing the decision and only 27 percent opposing it.
Demonstrations have also taken place across Britain, with thousands of protesters gathering outside the United States Embassy in London demanding an end to the escalating war. Trump has repeatedly criticised the British prime minister in recent days. During a meeting at the Oval Office on March 3 with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said he was ‘not happy with the UK’.
Dispute over Chagos Islands
Trump has also criticised Starmer over the UK’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following a ruling by the International Court of Justice that Britain had acted unlawfully when it separated the islands in 1965.
Under the agreement, the United States and the United Kingdom will still be able to operate a military base on Diego Garcia.
MOST READ | Oil prices hit 2 year high as Gulf energy shutdown fears grow
