Keir Starmer Stands Firm Against Trump's Pressure on Iran Conflict

Wed Apr 15 2026 15:16:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer asserts that he will not succumb to pressure from Donald Trump regarding military involvement in the Iran conflict, emphasizing that it is not in the UK's national interest to engage in the war.

During a recent session in Parliament, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his determination not to yield to demands from US President Donald Trump for support in the Iran conflict. Starmer stated clearly that it is not in the UK's national interest to join the war, despite Trump's criticism following the UK's refusal to assist in military actions against Iran. Chancellor Rachel Reeves echoed this sentiment, criticizing Trump's approach to the conflict and its impact on UK families.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he is not going to yield to pressure from the US president to join the conflict in Iran.

It comes after Donald Trump told Sky News that when the US asked the UK for help they were not there. He also suggested the trade deal with the UK can always be changed.

Sir Keir told the Commons: I'm not going to change my mind, I'm not going to yield, it is not in our national interest to join this war and we will not do so.

Trump has persistently criticized the prime minister after he refused to join offensive measures in the US-Israel war against Iran when it began in late February.

Responding to a question from Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey about Trump's latest comments, Sir Keir told Prime Minister's Questions: My position on Iran has been clear from the start, we're not going to get dragged into this war.

It is not our war, a lot of pressure has been applied to me to take a different course and that pressure included what happened last night.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves had already expressed frustration at what she called Trump's folly in starting the war without a clear exit plan.

She told The Mirror on Tuesday: This is a war that we did not start. It was a war that we did not want. I feel very frustrated and angry that the US went into this war without a clear exit plan, without a clear idea of what they were trying to achieve.

Reeves added: Obviously no sensible person is a supporter of the Iranian regime, but to start a conflict without being clear what the objectives are and not being clear about how you are going to get out of it, I do think that is a folly and it is one that is affecting families here in the UK, but also families in the US and around the world.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF cut its estimate for UK growth this year to 0.8%, from the 1.3% prediction made in January before hostilities began. The IMF suggested the UK, as a net importer of energy, remained sensitive to rapid rises in energy prices.

In his interview with Sky News, Trump expressed disappointment in how the UK responded to US calls for help during the conflict, stating it had been better, but it's sad.