United States President Donald Trump has stated that the US does not need the United Kingdom to deploy aircraft carriers to the Middle East, amid the ongoing war with Iran. In a post on social media, Trump said the UK's offer is not required, as the US has already won the war.
The UK's Ministry of Defence had announced that one of its two flagship aircraft carriers, the HMS Prince of Wales, has been placed on high readiness. However, Trump downplayed the significance of this development, saying the US will remember the UK's decision not to join the war earlier.
The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has resulted in an estimated 1,332 deaths in Iran, with six US service members also killed. The UK government has increased its involvement in the war, allowing the US to use its military bases for limited defensive purposes.
The UK Defence Ministry confirmed that the government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer had allowed the US to use its military bases, including RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and the Diego Garcia site in the Chagos Islands. Initially, there were reports that Starmer had blocked the US use of the bases.
Starmer has faced domestic criticism for his decision to join the war, with 43 percent of respondents in a recent survey calling the war not justifiable. Thousands of protesters gathered outside the US Embassy in London on Saturday to call for an end to the conflict.
Trump has been critical of Starmer, saying he is not happy with the UK's decision-making. The US president has also praised the leaders of countries that have supported the US in the war, while casting shade on other allies.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to praise right-wing Latin American leaders at a summit on Saturday, while downplaying the importance of other allies. The Trump administration has signalled it is pivoting away from its traditional European allies in favour of more politically aligned countries.
Source: Al Jazeera English
