• Trump states the US-UK relationship is "not what it was."
• UK Prime Minister Starmer initially resisted military support for strikes against Iran.
• Starmer later agreed to allow the US to use British bases for defensive measures.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his disappointment in the changing nature of the UK-US relationship, stating it is "very sad to see" the bond is "not what it was." This sentiment came after Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially deferred requests for military support in strikes against Iran, which prompted Trump to note that France had shown greater cooperation. He remarked on the historical significance of the US-UK alliance, adding that it has substantially transformed in recent times, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

During a recent interview, Trump criticized Starmer's delay in allowing US forces to utilize British airbases for military actions, indicating that this hesitance has changed the dynamics of their relationship. He pointed out that Starmer was perceived as "not being helpful" and emphasized that the US no longer required UK's involvement to pursue military objectives, yet expressed disappointment over the British leadership's stance on international military engagements, according to AA and Le Monde.

Starmer defended his initial refusal to support military intervention by arguing that the UK does not endorse "regime change from the skies." However, after Iranian actions posed a direct threat to British interests, he subsequently permitted the use of UK military bases for "defensive" strikes against Iranian missile targets. This decision came after an Iranian drone targeting British assets was intercepted, marking a significant shift in the UK's military strategy, according to Reuters and AA.