“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,” Trump wrote. “That’s OK, Prime Minister [Keir] Starmer, we don’t need them any longer — But we will remember.”
Trump also criticized the timing of the potential deployment. “We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!” he added.
The remarks followed reports that the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence was preparing an aircraft carrier for a possible deployment to the region. According to The Guardian, the Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Prince of Wales was being readied for mobilization.
A spokesperson for the ministry told the newspaper that no decision had yet been made to deploy the vessel. If deployed, it would join HMS Dragon, which is already heading toward the Middle East.
The spokesperson also said Royal Air Force Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets were flying missions over Jordan, Qatar, and Cyprus. These flights were described as being conducted to “defend British interests.”
Meanwhile, U.K. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy stated that there was a “legal basis” for the Royal Air Force to participate in strikes against Iranian missile sites. He said such action would be justified if necessary to protect British personnel and interests in the region.
Lammy also said the United Kingdom could target missile sites “that are anticipating attacking our people in the region.” His remarks triggered debate in Britain, with lawmakers calling for clarification from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government.
Earlier, Starmer announced that four additional Typhoon fighter jets would be deployed to support defense operations in Qatar. Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone capabilities also arrived in Cyprus after a drone strike caused minor damage to a British air base without causing casualties.
Days before the announcement, Starmer had stated that his government “does not believe in regime change from the skies.” The comment reflected a cautious approach to deeper involvement in the conflict.
Trump had previously criticized the United Kingdom and Spain over their positions related to the conflict with Iran. Spain refused to allow U.S. forces to use its bases for operations connected to the campaign.
The U.S. president also criticized the United Kingdom’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which host the joint U.S.-U.K. military base on Diego Garcia, to Mauritius. Trump earlier argued that access to the base would be necessary “to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime.”
He repeated criticism of the British government during the week, saying Starmer “is not Winston Churchill.” The United Kingdom had previously blocked the United States from using its bases last month due to concerns the action could violate international law.
The decision came before the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28. Starmer’s government cited legal concerns when explaining the decision.
Source: The Hill.
