Blair sparks row with Starmer after claiming UK ‘should have backed Trump from the beginning’ in Iran
Sir Tony Blair has criticized Sir Keir Starmer’s slow support for Donald Trump’s war on Iran, reportedly saying at one event: “We should have supported America from the beginning.”
Former prime minister spoke privately Jewish News Sir Keir’s comments on Friday that the Trump administration should allow it to use British air bases to attack Iran.
He reportedly added: “If they are your allies and an indispensable cornerstone of your security… you had better come forward.”
Sir Tony’s comments were made privately on the understanding that he would not be quoted, but they later appeared in the newspapers. mail on sunday And Sunday Times.
Asked about the former Labor prime minister’s comments on Sky News on Sunday morning, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: “I totally disagree.”
He added: “We’re learning lessons from some of the things that went wrong in Iraq and I think that’s exactly what Keir Starmer has done.”
The intervention came as Mr Trump again criticized Sir Keir over the UK’s approach to the Middle East conflict, saying the US did not need to “get involved in wars after we have won them”.
Mr Trump referred to reports that Britain was preparing an aircraft carrier to be deployed to the Middle East.
The US president shared on the Truth Social platform: “The United Kingdom, once our greatest Ally, perhaps our greatest, is seriously considering eventually sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East.
“It’s okay, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them anymore – But we’ll remember. We don’t need people fighting wars after we’ve won!”
Sir Keir defended his decision not to allow US forces to use British bases to support initial strikes on Iran, saying he needed to ensure any military action was legal and well-planned.
However, Sir Tony said: Jewish News event: “I’m not saying anything that I haven’t said to the government… I think we should have supported America from the beginning.
“As a country, we must be very clear on this issue. We trust the American alliance for our country. They are not just allies, they are an indispensable ally, right?”
He continued: “American relations are important. Especially important today. It’s not about whether it’s this president or that president. If they’re your ally and they’re an indispensable cornerstone of your security… you’d better show up.”
The former prime minister, who led Britain into the Iraq war in 2003 in the mistaken belief that Saddam Hussein’s regime had weapons of mass destruction, added: “On foreign policy, I think people would prefer you to be strong, out there and clear, even if they don’t agree with you.”
In January, the Trump administration appointed Sir Tony as a founding board member of the Peace Board. The White House said the board would oversee administration, reconstruction, investment and large-scale financing of Mr. Trump’s Gaza plan after the ceasefire.
