Starmer Pushes Back Against Trump Pressure Over Iran War Stance

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pushed back against criticism and pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, saying he will not be influenced into changing his position on foreign policy decisions, including the ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict with Iran.

Speaking on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Starmer said he believed much of the recent rhetoric was intended to pressure him politically, but insisted he would remain firm in his stance.

“A lot of what is said and done has been to put pressure on me to change my mind, but I’m not going to do so,” he said. “When it came to the Iran war, we’re not going to get dragged in because my judgment is that’s not in the interests of our country.”

He added that his responsibility as Prime Minister was to act strictly in the UK’s national interest, stressing: “I am the British Prime Minister, and I act in the British national interest.”

The remarks come amid growing friction between London and Washington, with Trump reportedly urging the UK to adjust positions on issues including North Sea oil extraction and the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, where a key joint UK–US military base is located on Diego Garcia. The base has also been linked to U.S. strategic operations in the region.

Tensions between the two leaders have also extended to broader geopolitical and economic issues, including policy differences over Greenland and trade tariffs.

When asked what advice he would give his past self at the start of his premiership in 2024, Starmer responded firmly: “I’m not going to be pushed around by other people. I’m not going to be persuaded to do things that I don’t think are right for our country.”