Keir Starmer defends UK position in Iran after Donald Trump blasted him over U-turn

Sir Keir Starmer has defended the UK's position on the ongoing situation in the Middle East, after he was criticised by President Donald Trump.

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister announced the US were permitted to use British military bases for strikes on Iran, amidst the ongoing situation in the region.

Starmer initially planned on blocking the US from using RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean, but has since made a U-turn on the matter.

In a video address to the nation on Sunday (March 1), Starmer explained: "The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose.

"We have taken the decision to accept this request - to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk, and hitting countries that have not been involved.

"The basis of our decision is the collective self-defence of longstanding friends and allies and protecting British lives."

Starmer has defended his position (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Despite this, President Donald Trump indicated that he was disappointed over the UK's delay in providing approval.

Trump told the Telegraph: “It took far too much time. Far too much time.

“That’s probably never happened between our countries before. It sounds like he was worried about the legality.”

Trump even went as far as to say the relationship with the UK was 'not as it was' adding: "He has not been helpful. I never thought I'd see that. I never thought I'd see that from the UK. We love the UK. It's very sad to see that the relationship is obviously not what it was.

"This was the most solid relationship of all. And now we have very strong relationships with other countries in Europe.

"It's not going to matter, but [Sir Keir] should have helped... he should have. I mean, France has been great. They've all been great. The UK has been much different from others."

Trump said the decision took 'far too much time' (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Starmer has since defended his position, explaining that he has acted in Britain's interests.

"It is my duty to judge what is in Britain's national interest, that is what I have done and I stand by it," Starmer explained.

"But it is clear that Iran's outrageous response has become a threat to our people, our interests and our allies and it cannot be ignored.

"Iran has lashed out across the region, they've launched hundreds of missiles and thousands of drones at countries that did not attack them."