‘Not Churchill’: Trump rebukes Starmer

US President Donald Trump has publicly criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over Britain’s initial response to joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, declaring: “This is not Winston Churchill we’re dealing with.”

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he was “not happy” with the UK’s reaction to the escalating conflict, adding that “everything’s been knocked out in Iran” following the coordinated strikes. His remarks come amid rapidly rising tensions across the Middle East, with Israel confirming fresh attacks on what it described as Iran’s “leadership compound” in Tehran, including the presidential office. Further strikes on the Iranian capital were announced later in the day.

According to the Iranian Red Crescent, the death toll inside Iran has climbed to 787 since US-Israeli operations began on Saturday. The intensifying hostilities have reverberated globally, pushing oil and gas prices higher while equity markets slid on fears of wider regional instability.

Washington has also warned of an “imminent” Iranian attack in the Saudi city of Dhahran, a strategic oil hub and home to a US consulate.

In response to attacks on a British military base in Cyprus, Starmer announced that the UK would deploy helicopters equipped with counter-drone capabilities and the air defence destroyer HMS Dragon to the region. The move signals Britain’s intent to bolster force protection, even as Trump’s comments suggest dissatisfaction with London’s broader posture.

Trump also addressed speculation over Iran’s political future, downplaying the prospects of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the late shah, as a potential successor should the current leadership fall. While acknowledging that “some people like him,” Trump said he believed the best-case scenario would be that “somebody already there” assumes control. He reiterated doubts expressed earlier this year about whether Pahlavi — who has lived in exile since the 1979 revolution — could command domestic legitimacy.

Trump further suggested he may have accelerated Israel’s decision to strike. Asked whether Israel had forced his hand, Trump replied: “No, I might have forced their hand.” He claimed negotiations with Iran had been underway but argued he believed Tehran was preparing to attack first. “I didn’t want that to happen,” he said, adding that both he and Israeli officials were surprised by the speed and scale of the subsequent escalation.