mar 3, 2026 - Trump: Starmer is 'No Churchill'

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President Donald Trump has told reporters Sir Keir Starmer is "no Winston Churchill" in the row over the refusal to permit the use of UK bases for the initial US-Israel strikes on Iran.

The US had sought to use the military base in Diego Garcia on the Chagos Islands, but the PM refused, only agreeing to the US request to use British military bases subsequently for "defensive" strikes on Iranian missile sites.

Speaking to journalists in the Oval Office, Trump said he was "not happy with the UK" over the decision, which led to US planes "flying many extra hours".

Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon has been now sent to bolster security at a British air base in Cyprus, after it was hit by drone strikes.

On Sunday, the UK agreed to the US request to use British military bases - likely to be RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia - but following that decision, the prime minister told MPs the UK government "does not believe in regime change from the skies".

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