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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the United Kingdom will not be drawn into the ongoing Middle East conflict, despite pressure from Donald Trump, who has threatened to reconsider a trade deal with London.
Addressing parliament, Starmer maintained that the conflict is not Britain’s war and insisted his government would not shift its position, stressing that joining the conflict would not serve the country’s national interest.
“We’re not going to get dragged into this war. It is not our war.
“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.”
His remarks followed comments by Trump in a Sky News interview, where the US president warned that tensions with the UK could affect an existing trade agreement that limits the impact of US tariffs on British goods.
Despite the strain, Trump indicated that the disagreement would not affect King Charles III’s planned state visit to the United States.
Starmer, however, emphasised that the longstanding relationship between both countries goes beyond individual leaders, noting that bilateral ties remain strong regardless of political differences.
Relations between Washington and London have come under pressure in recent weeks, particularly after the UK declined to allow its bases to be used for initial US strikes on Iran.
Although Britain later approved limited use of two military bases for defensive purposes, the move did little to ease tensions.
Trump criticised the UK’s stance, suggesting Britain had failed to support the US when needed.
In response, senior members of Starmer’s government have increasingly voiced concern over Washington’s approach to the conflict.
Finance Minister Rachel Reeves described the decision to engage in war without a clear exit strategy as misguided.
Despite the diplomatic strain, both sides continue to engage, with UK officials meeting their US counterparts to assess the broader economic implications of the conflict.
