LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, just hours after Trump publicly criticised the UK for not supporting American actions against Iran.
The leaders discussed the escalating situation in the Middle East and reviewed military cooperation between the UK and the US, a Downing Street readout said.
The conversation specifically referenced the use of Royal Air Force (RAF) bases “in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region.”
The official statement did not address Trump’s earlier critical comments.
Earlier on Sunday, Trump had taken to his Truth Social account in response to reports that the UK might deploy an aircraft carrier to the region, dismissing the move by saying, “We don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won!”
Beyond strategic discussions, Starmer conveyed his “heartfelt condolences” to President Trump and the American people following the recent deaths of six US soldiers in the region.
The call concluded on a forward-looking note, with both leaders agreeing to maintain close communication and speak again in the near future.
US denies reports Iran captured soldiers
The US administration has rejected claims by Iranian officials that Tehran captured American soldiers during the ongoing war between Iran and the United States and Israel, saying no US service members are in Iranian custody.
The denial came after Iranian senior security official Ali Larijani said several American soldiers had been taken prisoner since the outbreak of the conflict.
In a message posted on social media, Larijani said he had received reports that US troops had been captured and suggested Washington might be presenting them as combat casualties instead.
The United States military responded by rejecting the claims of capturing the US troops. A spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that Iranian forces had captured no American soldiers.
Officials in Washington said American forces deployed in the region remain fully accounted for and dismissed the Iranian statement as inaccurate.
