Trump tells Britain he does not need its ships

President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Britain was ‘seriously considering’ sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East, but added that the United States did not need them to win the war with Iran, the latest conflict to test the two military allies.

Trump has repeatedly criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and suggested this week that he helped ‘destroy’ the historically close relationship between the two countries after London blocked the US plan to use British bases for attacks on Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would ‘remember’ the lack of British support during the conflict with Iran. ‘The United Kingdom, our once great ally, perhaps the greatest of all, is finally seriously considering sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,’ Trump said.

‘That's okay, Prime Minister Starmer, we don't need them anymore – but we will remember. We don't need people joining wars when we've already won!’

The social media post came after the British Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday that it was preparing the aircraft carrier Prince of Wales for possible deployment.

However, a British official said that a final decision on deploying the aircraft carrier to the Middle East had not yet been made. Starmer defended his decision not to allow US forces to use British bases to support the initial strikes on Iran, saying he must ensure that any military action is legal and well planned.

(reuters, su)