UK won’t join Iran war without clear plan, PM says

Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that US President Donald Trump lacks a “viable” plan for the conflict with Iran, telling Parliament that Britain would not directly enter the war without a clear and lawful strategy from Washington and its allies.

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, the Prime Minister said the United Kingdom could not participate in offensive military action without being satisfied there was both a legal basis and a coherent plan, The Telegraph reports.

“What I was not prepared to do on Saturday was for the UK to join a war unless I was satisfied there was a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan. That remains my position,” Sir Keir said in response to a question from Kemi Badenoch about why he had not authorised the Royal Air Force to conduct strikes against Iran.

Trump had earlier criticised Sir Keir for declining to join weekend attacks on Tehran and for initially withholding permission for the United States to use British bases in support of operations against the Iranian regime. The Prime Minister later approved the use of UK bases for defensive purposes as Iran launched missiles and drones across the region.

Starmer has faced criticism from senior Conservative and Reform politicians, who argue his stance risks straining Britain’s “special relationship” with Washington. Trump said on March 3 that the Prime Minister was “no Winston Churchill.”

In response, Starmer defended the strength of Anglo-American ties, stating: “British jets are shooting down drones and missiles to protect American lives in the Middle East on our joint bases. That is the special relationship in action. Sharing intelligence every day to keep our people safe. That is the special relationship in action.

“Hanging on to President Trump’s latest words is not the special relationship in action.”

By Vafa Guliyeva