Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the United Kingdom’s role in the Middle East conflict, saying the United States does not need allies to 'join wars after we’ve already won'. His remarks followed reports that Britain was preparing an aircraft carrier for possible deployment, as American bombers arrived at a base in Gloucestershire and began using British facilities for what were described as defensive operations against Iranian missile threats.

The British government confirmed it had increased the readiness of the aircraft carrier Prince of Wales but said no decision had been made to deploy it. After initially withholding approval, Sir Keir later permitted defensive American strikes on Iranian missile sites from British bases. He has sought to downplay tensions with Washington, insisting the special relationship remains active through intelligence sharing and coordinated responses.

The dispute has sparked political debate at home, with opposition figures accusing the Prime Minister of hesitation and others urging him to resist pressure from Washington. Senior defence officials have indicated that Britain’s role could expand if the conflict escalates, while Iran’s ambassador warned London to be cautious about deeper involvement. Meanwhile, British military assets are being prepared for potential extended deployment as regional tensions continue to rise.