Starmer 'not going to yield' to pressure from Trump on Iran war

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he is "not going to yield" to pressure from the US president to join the conflict in Iran.

It comes after Donald Trump told Sky News that when the US asked the UK for help "they were not there". He also suggested the trade deal with the UK "can always be changed".

Starmer told the Commons: "I'm not going to change my mind, I'm not going to yield, it is not in our national interest to join this war and we will not do so."

Trump has persistently criticised Starmer after he refused to join offensive measures in the US-Israel war against Iran when it began in late February.

Starmer was responding to a question from Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey about Trump's latest comments.

He told Prime Minister's Questions: "My position on Iran has been clear from the start, we're not going to get dragged into this war."

"It is not our war, a lot of pressure has been applied to me to take a different course and that pressure included what happened last night."

"I'm not going to change my mind, I'm not going to yield, it is not in our national interest to join this war and we will not do so. I know where I stand."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves had already expressed frustration at what she called Trump's "folly" in starting the war without a "clear exit plan".

She told The Mirror on Tuesday: "This is a war that we did not start. It was a war that we did not want. I feel very frustrated and angry that the US went into this war without a clear exit plan, without a clear idea of what they were trying to achieve."

Reeves added: "Obviously no sensible person is a supporter of the Iranian regime, but to start a conflict without being clear what the objectives are and not being clear about how you are going to get out of it, I do think that is a folly and it is one that is affecting families here in the UK, but also families in the US and around the world."

Reeves is in Washington where she is attending the IMF's spring summit.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF cut its estimate for UK growth this year to 0.8%, from the 1.3% prediction made in January before hostilities began.

The IMF suggested the UK, as a net importer of energy, remained sensitive to rapid rises in energy prices.

In his interview with Sky News, Trump was asked how he would describe the special relationship between the US and the UK. He said: "It's the relationship where when we asked them for help, they were not there. When we needed them, they were not there.

"When we didn't need them, they were not there. And they still aren't there."

Pressed further on the relationship, Trump said it had "been better, but it's sad".

"And we gave them a good trade deal. Better than I had to. Which can always be changed."

In May last year, the UK became the first country to agree a tariff deal with President Trump after his return to office, cutting some import taxes on cars, aluminium and steel.

The relationship between the two countries' leaders has in recent weeks shown signs of strain over the Middle East. Trump has frequently criticised Sir Keir over the prime minister's repeated refusal to sign off direct military involvement in the conflict, labelling him "no Winston Churchill".

Reeves is in Washington where she is attending the International Monetary Fund's spring summit.

Her trip across the Atlantic follows a forecast from the IMF that the Iran war will hit the UK the hardest of the world's advanced economies.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF cut its estimate for UK growth this year to 0.8%, from the 1.3% prediction made in January before hostilities began.

The IMF suggested the UK, as a net importer of energy, remained sensitive to rapid rises in energy prices.

Earlier in the call, Trump said he "liked Starmer" but branded his government's immigration and energy policies "insane".

However, he said the state of their relationship would not "at all" overshadow the upcoming royal state visit.

"I've known the King for a long time, and he's not involved in that process," Trump said.

Asked what he was most looking forward to ahead of late April's royal visit, he responded: "Just being with him. I've known him for a long time. He's wonderful."