British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his decision not to get involved in US-Israeli attacks on Iran. On Monday (March 2, 2026) he said that his Labor Party government does not believe in change of power through air strikes.
While giving information to the Parliament, Keir Starmer said that Britain has given permission to the US Army to use British military bases for limited defensive purposes in West Asia. He said this while addressing the MPs in the House of Commons, the lower house of Parliament. US President Donald Trump has said that he was very disappointed that the British Prime Minister took too long to change his decision regarding the use of British military bases.
Keir Starmer said, ‘This government does not believe in change of power through air strikes.’ Starmer said, ‘Britain was not involved in the initial attacks by America and Israel on Iran. This decision was taken deliberately. “We believe that the best way forward for the region and the world is to reach a deal in which Iran agrees to give up its desire to develop nuclear weapons and cease its activities that destabilize the region.”
He said, ‘This has been the long-term stance of different governments of Britain. President Trump has expressed disagreement with our decision to decline involvement in the initial attacks, but it is my duty to decide what is in Britain’s national interest. This is what I have done, and I stand by this decision. Keir Starmer has repeatedly stressed the need for a ‘legal basis’ and ‘a practical, thoughtful plan’ before British forces engage in any action. He stressed that this was a lesson learned from the attack on Iraq.
