US President Donald Trump has criticized the UK's response to the conflict in Iran, accusing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of seeking to "join wars after we've already won".
According to a social media post by Trump, the UK is considering sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East. However, Trump stated that the US does not need them.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that one of the UK's two aircraft carriers has been placed on advanced readiness. US bomber jets have also been seen landing in the UK as the US starts using British bases for "specific defensive operations".
UK Government Response
The UK government has defended its decision not to join initial US and Israel strikes on Iran. Sir Keir Starmer told MPs that he has a duty to judge what is in Britain's national interest.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir of being "too afraid" to make decisions and "sitting on the fence" over the conflict in the Middle East.
US-UK Relations
Sir Keir has insisted that the "special relationship" between the US and the UK has not been fractured. The UK and US are sharing intelligence on a 24/7 basis.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has hit back at President Trump's criticism of the UK response to the conflict in Iran.
Conflict Update
Israel has continued strikes across Iran and Lebanon, and the Iranian regime has carried out more attacks, as the war continues for a ninth day.
The UK has already said it will deploy a Royal Navy warship to the Mediterranean to bolster security around an RAF base in Cyprus that has been targeted by drones.
