Trump Criticises UK and Starmer Amid US-Israeli Strikes on Iran

Former US President Donald Trump criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Spain over their “uncooperative” response to US-Israeli military strikes on Iran, saying “this is not Winston Churchill we’re dealing with.” He added that “everything’s been knocked out in Iran” following strikes targeting more than 1,700 sites, including missile sites, naval assets, and the presidential office, after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Red Crescent reports 787 deaths in Iran since the attacks began, while international markets reacted with higher oil and gas prices and falling shares. In response, the UK is sending helicopters and the destroyer HMS Dragon to Cyprus.

Trump framed the US strikes as pre-emptive, claiming Iran “was going to attack first,” and warned that the worst-case scenario is a future leader “as bad as the previous person.” He also criticised the UK over the Chagos Islands deal and domestic policies.

Meanwhile, footage confirmed by BBC Verify shows Iran’s Assembly of Experts’ secretariat building near Qom heavily damaged, though no casualties were reported. Trump also blamed Iran for past US military casualties in Iraq, citing explosively formed penetrators used against US troops.