{"id":2575328,"date":"2026-03-02T17:43:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T22:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/starmer-fires-back-at-trump-over-iran-unlawful-action\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T17:47:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T22:47:20","slug":"starmer-fires-back-at-trump-over-iran-unlawful-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/starmer-fires-back-at-trump-over-iran-unlawful-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Starmer fires back at Trump over Iran &#8216;unlawful action&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fstarmer-fires-back-at-trump-over-iran-unlawful-action%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2575328&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his decision not to join offensive strikes against Iran, saying he will judge Britain\u2019s national interest and that such actions must have a lawful basis. In a statement to Parliament, he named Donald Trump while explaining why UK forces will not participate in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gov-greg-abbott-texas-must-fight-federal-overreach-biden-showing-extreme-hostility-to-state\/\" title=\"Gov. Greg Abbott: Texas Must Fight \u2018Federal Overreach\u2019; Biden Showing \u2018Extreme Hostility\u2019 To State\">unlawful action<\/a>, even as Iran fires missiles and drones, and pledged to protect people in the region. Trump criticized Starmer for not allowing the use of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/meghan-duchess-of-sussex-feels-rejected-as-homesick-prince-harry-looks-for-new-residence\/\" title=\"Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, feels &#039;rejected&#039; while &#039;homesick&#039; Prince Harry seeks a new home\">british base<\/a> on the Chagos Archipelago, and Starmer stressed lessons from Iraq, insisting any UK action must be lawful, viable, and well-planned, with no regime change from the skies. The article also notes the UK\u2019s limited use of bases by the US and the ongoing sovereignty dispute over Chagos with Mauritius, which complicates military planning and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iran-suddenly-wants-to-strike-a-deal-after-big-armada-arrives-trump-16\/\" title=\"... Suddenly Wants to Strike a Deal After &#039;Big Armada&#039; Arrives: ...\">regional capabilities<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Starmer fires back at Trump over Iran &lsquo;unlawful action&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2520882\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>British Prime Minister <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/keir-starmer\/\">Keir Starmer<\/a> is defending himself from criticism lobbed by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a>, sticking to his decision not to join offensive campaigns against <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"100\">Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/speeches\/prime-ministers-oral-statement-on-iran-2-march-2026\">speaking before the British Parliament<\/a> on Monday, mentioned the U.S. leader by name as he outlined his reasoning for withholding U.K. military personnel from &ldquo;offensive strikes&rdquo; &mdash; primarily, his concern that such <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >operations violate international law<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4476540\/senior-iran-hezbollah-officials-civilians-killed-us-israel-strikes\/\">Who has been killed so far during US-Israel mission in Iran?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4476727\/emmanuel-macron-increase-france-nuclear-warhead-arsenal\/\">Macron goes nuclear with increases to French warhead arsenal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4476568\/gulf-states-qatar-saudi-arabia-kuwait-bahrain-uae-responding-iran-retaliatory-strikes\/\">How Gulf States are responding to Iran&#8217;s retaliatory strikes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the &#8203;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-intends-for-creation-of-new-security-regime-in-gaza-after-war\/\" title=\"Israel plans to establish a &#039;new security system&#039; in Gaza post-war.\">initial strikes<\/a>, but it is my duty to judge what is in Britain&rsquo;s national interest. That is what I&rsquo;ve done, and I stand by it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Britain&rsquo;s Prime Minister Keir Starmer issues a statement at 10 Downing Street in London on the latest developments in the Middle East, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Jonathan Brady\/Pool via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;We were not involved in the &#8203;initial strikes against Iran, and we will not join offensive action now. But in the face of Iran&rsquo;s barrage of missiles and &#8288;drones, we will protect our people in the region,&rdquo;&nbsp;he continued.<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/united-kingdom\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"547\">United Kingdom<\/a> has opened British military bases for &ldquo;limited&rdquo; use by the U.S. military as it continues to pummel the Islamic Republic. Already, dozens of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4476540\/senior-iran-hezbollah-officials-civilians-killed-us-israel-strikes\/\">Iran&rsquo;s highest-ranking leaders<\/a> have been killed by pinpoint attacks launched by the United States and Israel.<\/p>\n<p>But Starmer was clear on where he stands regarding the initial launch of the conflict: &ldquo;I will not commit our military personnel to unlawful action.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Trump admonished Starmer in an earlier interview on Monday, saying he was &ldquo;very disappointed in Keir&rdquo; for not allowing the U.S. military to utilize the British military base on the Chagos Archipelago for the operation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s probably never happened between our countries before,&rdquo; Trump told the <em>Telegraph<\/em>. &ldquo;It sounds like he was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/us\/news\/2026\/03\/02\/exclusive-trump-very-disappointed-in-starmer-over-iran\/\">worried about the legality<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Starmer, harkening back to President George W. Bush&rsquo;s prolonged <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/war-on-terror\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2843\">war on terrorism<\/a> during his speech at Parliament, expressed extreme skepticism about Trump&rsquo;s capabilities in wrapping up the conflict efficiently.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We all remember the mistakes of<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iraq\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"101\"> Iraq<\/a>, and we have learned those lessons. Any U.K. &zwnj;actions must &#8288;always have a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan,&rdquo; Starmer said. &ldquo;This government does not believe in regime change from the skies.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This image provided by U.S. Central Command shows the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner firing a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile in support of Operation Epic Fury, on Sunday, March 1, 2026. (U.S. Navy via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The friction with Trump only further frustrated the Starmer government, which has been entangled in a no-win situation over its plans to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4471518\/uk-foreign-office-minister-confirms-britain-pausing-chagos-islands-deal\/\">cede the Chagos Archipelago<\/a> to Mauritius.<\/p>\n<p>Mauritius is threatening further legal action if the U.K. does not abide by an international court ruling that its sovereignty over the islands is illegitimate. Chagossian citizens of Britain are threatening their own lawsuit, arguing they are being robbed of their homeland.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4476906\/trump-dodges-iran-questions-medal-of-honor-ceremony\/\">TRUMP SAYS IRAN MISSILES COULD SOON HAVE REACHED US AND SNUBS PRESS QUESTIONS ON CONFLICT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Additionally, national security experts in both Britain and the U.S. have expressed extreme concern <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">about the impact of&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4463460\/uk-deal-sovereignty-chagos-islands-scrutiny-renewed-trump-opposition\/\">ceding the islands<\/a>&nbsp;<\/span>on regional military capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>In his Monday interview, Trump said Starmer should have just &ldquo;fought it out and owned it&rdquo; or made the Mauritius government take it from Britain by force.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starmer tells Trump he won&#8217;t join Iran strikes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2575329,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26059528551009.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[3823,34755,3634],"class_list":["post-2575328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-iran","tag-starmer","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26059528551009.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2575328"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575328\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2575332,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2575328\/revisions\/2575332"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2575329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2575328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2575328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2575328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}