Defiant Starmer tells Trump I stand by my decision' not to join attacks on Iran

"Sir Keir said: President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision. The prime minister granted permission on Sunday for the US to use UK bases to target Iran's missile launchers and stores to help protect countries targeted by Tehran, but the US president said he was very disappointed in Sir Keir over his initial refusal to allow the US to use the UK-US Diego Garcia base on the Chagos Islands as part of the operation."

"But in a statement to the Commons, Sir Keir said he stood by his decision and warned that his party had learnt the lessons of Iraq, remembering Tony Blair's decision in 2003 to support another US president in invading a Middle East state."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his decision to initially refuse permission for the US to use British military bases, particularly Diego Garcia, for strikes against Iran's military infrastructure. Although he eventually granted approval on Sunday, President Trump expressed disappointment with the delay and initial refusal. Starmer stated he stood by his original decision in a Commons statement, emphasizing that his government had learned lessons from the 2003 Iraq invasion under Tony Blair. The prime minister's cautious approach reflected concerns about military intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts, balancing the UK's relationship with the US while maintaining independent judgment on military commitments.

Read at www.independent.co.uk