Sir Keir Starmer spoke directly with Donald Trump this afternoon after the President criticised the Prime Minister’s response to the war in Iran.
A Downing Street spokeswoman confirmed the two men spoke about the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Their conversation comes after President Trump described the UK as “our once great ally”.
Sir Keir also offered “his heartfelt condolences” with President Trump and the American people over the death of six American soldiers in the conflict.
The spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister spoke with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, this afternoon.
“The leaders began by discussing the latest situation in the Middle East and the military cooperation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region.
“The Prime Minister also shared his heartfelt condolences with President Trump and the American people following the deaths of six US soldiers.
“They looked forward to speaking again soon.”
The Prime Minister and President spoke this afternoon
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Sir Keir’s decision not to grant permission for the first wave of military action prompted a raft of criticism from Mr Trump in recent days, including a personal attack on the Prime Minister as being “not Winston Churchill.”
The Prime Minister has now granted permission for “defensive” US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases.
After reports that the UK was preparing an aircraft carrier to go to the Middle East, President Trump posted on Saturday that the UK was “initially giving thought” to sending two but said “we don’t need them any longer.”
He added: “But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!”
President Donald Trump addressed the conflict with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth
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Speaking to GB News, Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer, said Sir Keir had not been “humiliated” in the exchange.
He said: “I found in this job it’s best not to focus on social media posts, to focus on substance
However, the Labour minister conceded there was “clearly a disagreement between our two countries”.
However, Mr Falconer said the spat was “part of a much wider, deeper relationship”, adding: “There is an important relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, which continues.”
The HMS Prince of Wales has been put on advanced readiness to sail from Portsmouth within five days, defence sources have said | GETTYForeign Secretary Yvette Cooper said “sometimes we will disagree” as both countries act in their national interest.
She told Sky News: “We disagreed on the initial strikes that took place, and whether the UK should provide the basing support for them, but that is a legitimate thing for the UK Prime Minister to do.”
Asked why the UK does not respond to the US president by telling him he is wrong, she said: “Keir Starmer’s style of doing politics is obviously very different, and I think that kind of calm, cool-headed approach to these big, serious, international issues… I really think that is right.
“We’re not going to do things in terms of the rhetoric or hyperbole, we’re going to do things on really practical, calm, steady decision-making. Because I think that is actually the British character more widely…to do things in a serious and steady way.”
