Trump to Starmer: ‘We don’t need you to join the war after we’ve won’

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised the United Kingdom over what he described as a delayed offer of military support in the escalating conflict with Iran, declaring that Washington no longer needs assistance after already securing victory on the battlefield.

Trump made the remarks in a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, reacting to reports that Britain was considering deploying two aircraft carriers to the Middle East.

Addressing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly, the U.S. leader said Washington would remember the timing of London’s response.

“The United Kingdom, our once great ally, maybe the greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump wrote.

“That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer, but we will remember. We don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won.”

The comments come after the British Ministry of Defence confirmed that the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales had been placed on an increased state of readiness, reducing the time required for potential deployment if needed.

However, British officials stressed that the move does not necessarily mean the warship would be sent to the Middle East, noting that it could still participate in other previously scheduled missions, including NATO exercises.

Trump reiterated his criticism while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, saying British military support would have been more useful earlier in the conflict.

“We don’t need them. It’s not the right time. It would have been nice to have had them two weeks ago,” he said.

Meanwhile, the U.S. president travelled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to attend the dignified transfer ceremony for six American soldiers killed during the conflict in Kuwait.

Standing before flag-draped coffins of the fallen service members, Trump saluted as military personnel carried the remains from an aircraft during the solemn ceremony.

Despite acknowledging the loss as “a very sad day,” Trump defended the military campaign against Iran, insisting that the United States was winning the war “by a lot.”

The president also made controversial remarks about the political future of Iran, telling reporters that Washington should play a role in selecting the country’s next leader to ensure Tehran does not return to confrontation with the United States.

“We don’t want to come back every five or ten years and do this again. We want to pick a president that’s not going to lead the country into war,” Trump said.

He added that the United States does not intend to involve Kurdish armed groups in the conflict, saying the administration wants to avoid making the war more complex.