LONDON: Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday defended his handling of the US-Israeli war against Iran after President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack over the British leader’s initial refusal to allow the Americans to use UK air bases. “American planes are operating out of British bases. That is the special relationship in action,” he told parliament. “British jets are shooting down drones and missiles to protect American lives in the Middle East on our joint bases. That is the special relationship in action, sharing intelligence every day to keep our people safe,” he said.

PM is in diplomatically precarious position of declining to endorse US strikes while also refusing to condemn them

The prime minister had previously refused to give the US permission to use RAF bases in Cyprus but has relented because of the indiscriminate nature of Iran’s retaliation