Donald Trump has criticized UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over how the British government has responded to the US-led conflict involving Iran.
US and Israeli forces have launched multiple rounds of strikes on Iran after talks over the country’s nuclear programme ended without an agreement.
Targets in several Iranian cities have been hit, while Trump has insisted there will be no agreement unless Iran accepts “unconditional surrender”, as Israel continues attacks including on Iranian oil depots.
The US operates from air bases across the world, including facilities in the UK, but earlier in the operation permission had reportedly not been given for those bases to be used.
Since then, the UK has said bases at Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean can be used for what it described as a “specific and limited defensive purpose”.
The Ministry of Defence has also confirmed that four US bombers arrived at a Royal Air Force base over Friday and Saturday.
According to the MoD, the aircraft had “started using British bases” as part of operations aimed at “to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region, which is putting British lives at risk”.
Trump, however, has now taken aim at Starmer, suggesting the UK was slow to offer support.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The United Kingdom, our once great Ally, maybe the greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East.
“That’s OK, prime minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer – But we will remember. We don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won!”
It is not the first time Trump has taken a swipe at Starmer. He has previously said the prime minister is “not Winston Churchill”, referencing Britain’s World War Two leader.
UK officials have said an aircraft carrier is already being readied should it be needed for a deployment to the Middle East as the conflict continues.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “HMS Prince of Wales has always been on very high readiness and we are increasing the preparedness of the carrier, reducing the time it would take to set sail for any deployment.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also appeared to criticize countries that have not granted access to bases for strikes, with reports naming the UK and Spain.
Rubio said: “At a time when we have learned that an ally, when you need them, may not be there for you, these are countries that have been there for us.
“We want you to see that when you are a friend and ally to the United States, it is a good thing and it is reciprocated back the other way.”
The UK Ministry of Defence was contacted for comment.