British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday (March 5th) that the long-standing “special relationship” between the United Kingdom and the United States remains strong, despite criticism from US President Donald Trump over London’s response to US attacks on Iran.
Speaking at a press conference, Starmer insisted that intelligence cooperation and joint military coordination between the two allies continued without interruption.
The “special relationship” still works
Starmer rejected suggestions that tensions with Washington had weakened the strategic partnership between the two countries.
“There’s a special relationship going on right now,” Starmer said. “We work together in the region, the US and the British work together to protect both the US and the British at joint bases where we are co-located and sharing intelligence on a 24/7 basis as usual.”
His words came after Trump publicly criticized the British prime minister for initially refusing to allow US forces to use British bases in operations linked to the US-Israeli campaign against Iran.
Trump also mocked Starmer’s leadership, saying he was “no Winston Churchill”.
Criticism over hesitation over Iranian strikes
Starmer initially denied the United States permission to use British bases in the Middle East for strikes related to the conflict. The British government later changed its stance and joined what it described as “defensive” operations after Iran retaliated with attacks across the region.
One incident that heightened scrutiny was an Iranian-made drone attack that hit a British military base in Cyprus.
Domestic criticism from Nigel Farage
At home, Starmer was also criticized by Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, who accused the prime minister of damaging relations with Washington.
“What Keir Starmer has done in alienating the US administration is not only to jeopardize that relationship personally, but frankly to risk a relationship with a country without which we are defenseless,” Farage told Reuters.
Great Britain has deployed military assets in the region
Despite political disputes, Britain has increased its military presence in the region in response to Iranian threats.
The government said it would deploy a warship and helicopters equipped with counter-drones to help counter a possible Iranian retaliation.
Starmer also announced that four more Typhoon fighter jets would be sent to Qatar to bolster air defenses against missile and drone attacks.
Read also | Some European leaders are now openly attacking Trump over Iran
Trying to bring the British home
The conflict has also disrupted travel in the Middle East, closing several major airports and leaving thousands of foreign nationals stranded.
Starmer said the government was working to help British citizens return home.
According to the Prime Minister, more than 4,000 people have already returned to the United Kingdom on commercial flights from the United Arab Emirates.
He added that around 140,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the region with the government as authorities monitor the situation and prepare additional assistance if needed.
Read also | Man accused of plotting to kill Trump says Iran pressured him
