Starmer allows US to use UK bases against Iran but 'won't join strikes'

LONDON: British PM Keir Starmer defended his actions in West Asia Monday, brushing off President Trump's criticism of the UK for not joining strikes against Iran by saying his decisions were guided by law and the "national interest".Earlier, Trump told the Daily Telegraph he believed Britain had taken too long to let Washington use its bases in operations against Iran. In an interview published Monday Trump said Starmer appeared to be "worried about the legality" of the strikes. "That's probably never happened between our countries before," Trump said.In an address to parliament, Starmer said he was moved to allow the "limited" use of British military bases by the US on Sunday after Britons came under attack by "reckless" Iranian drone and missile strikes but he stood by his decision not to join "offensive strikes" on Iran on Saturday.

On Sunday, an Iranian-made drone hit Britain's RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, causing limited damage and no casualties. UK officials say an attack drone hit the runway at RAF Akrotiri. There were no injuries and "minimal" damage, but the strike brought the conflict onto European soil.