Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have discussed “collective self-defence” in the Middle East after the US president launched his latest broadside against the UK over its support in the conflict in Iran.
The Prime Minister’s decision not to grant permission for the first wave of military action prompted a raft of criticism from Mr Trump in recent days, including a personal attack on the Labour leader as being “not Winston Churchill”.
Sir Keir has now granted permission for “defensive” US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases.
After reports that the UK was preparing an aircraft carrier to go to the Middle East, the US president posted on Saturday that the UK was “finally giving thought” to sending two but said “we don’t need them any longer”.
He added: “But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!”
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the two leaders spoke on Sunday afternoon.
“The leaders began by discussing the latest situation in the Middle East and the military co-operation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region.
“The Prime Minister also shared his heartfelt condolences with President Trump and the American people following the deaths of six US soldiers.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper earlier defended Sir Keir, saying he is “right to stand up for Britain and Britain’s interests” and that the UK needs to “take decisions ourselves”.
She told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “It’s for the US president to decide what he thinks is in the US national interest, and that’s for him to do.
“But it is our job as the UK Government to decide what’s in the UK national interest, and that doesn’t mean simply agreeing with other countries or outsourcing our foreign policy to other countries.”
She also dismissed criticism from Sir Tony Blair, who had told a private event that the UK “should have backed America from the beginning”.
“Having been a minister in the last Labour government, I also think it is important to learn lessons from what went wrong in Iraq,” she said.
Sir Keir has sought to play down the rift with the US, saying earlier this week that the special relationship is “in operation right now” as the two countries share intelligence and work together amid the Middle East conflict.
The Prime Minister has also defended his decision not to permit the US to use British bases in the opening assault against the Tehran regime, suggesting it could have been unlawful.
He agreed a week ago to allow the US to strike Iran defensively from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean.
Over the weekend four American bombers landed at Fairford and the US started using British bases for “specific defensive operations” to prevent Iran firing missiles in the region.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed that UK forces successfully engaged a one-way attack drone fired from Iran towards Iraq last night as RAF Typhoons and F-35 jets conduct defensive sorties across the region.
And a Merlin helicopter that can fly up to a mile in height and give advance warning of incoming drones or missiles is due to join.
The Ministry of Defence said it was increasing the preparedness of aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and reducing the time it would take to set sail, but that no decisions had been taken to deploy the warship.
A third Government charter flight to bring Britons home from the region is due to leave Muscat, Oman, on Sunday just before 7pm UK time and there are plans to charter a commercial flight from Dubai early next week.
More than 32,000 British nationals have now departed the region, which includes the Gulf countries as well as Israel and Lebanon, by air since March 1.
Sir Keir spoke to the president of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Sunday afternoon and updated him on British counter-drone advisers who had been working with UAE military specialists to support defensive operations.
In other developments:
– Donald Trump said “everything is on the table” when asked by ABC whether he would consider sending in special forces to seize Iran’s enriched uranium.
– Bahrain accused Iran of striking a desalination plant.
– Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian threatened to step up attacks on American targets across the Middle East.
– Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the Prime Minister should call off the King’s state visit to the US over Mr Trump’s “illegal war”.
He added: “A state visit from our King would be seen as yet another huge diplomatic coup for President Trump, so it should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country.”
Around 200 demonstrators gathered outside the Iranian embassy in central London to show their support for the US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
The demonstrators stood behind barriers across the road from the embassy next to Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon, shouting “shame on you, shame on you”.
Many waved old Iranian flags, which were replaced after the Iranian revolution, featuring a lion and a sun representing ancient Iranian history and royalty.
Others held US and Israeli flags, and portraits of Mr Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which read “We Trust You”.
Several protesters were holding pictures of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the war’s opening air strikes.
Parisa Ashkboos, 47, and her mother Zari, 67, who are Iranian, travelled from Leicester on Sunday to attend the demonstration.
Holding a former Iranian flag and an Israeli flag, Parisa Ashkboos said: “We want the world to hear us and see we are with the war, and we know this war is good for us.”
Speaking of the Iranian government, she said: “The regime is a terrorist regime.”
Ms Ashkboos added: “Thankfully, Israel and America decided to help us, to be our saviour, and we are so thankful to them.
“We are delighted that somebody decided to do something, because we just couldn’t give more death. We just couldn’t.”
Dozens of cars and motorcycles decorated with old Iranian flags drove past the protesters outside the embassy throughout the afternoon, roaring their engines and honking their horns.
Soby Amiri, 37, who attended the demonstration with his family, said the death of the late ayatollah was “the price you have to pay for freedom”.
He said: “Me and all my family decided to come to show our presence and support.
“So maybe the UK government can recognise that actually most Iranians are very happy and supportful of what’s happening in Iran right now.
“Unfortunately, blood has been shed, but this government will now live without killing more innocent people.
“This is the price you have to pay for freedom.”
