US President Donald Trump on Monday expressed that he was “very disappointed” with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the initial refusal to allow Washington access to British military bases amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. The remarks were made in an interview with the Daily Telegraph and reported by AFP.

Trump said Starmer’s hesitation was unprecedented in the history of US-UK relations. “It took far too much time. Far too much time,” he told the newspaper, adding that the initial refusal was unlike anything “that had happened between our countries before.”

The issue centers on the use of British military bases in the Indian Ocean’s Chagos Islands, which Washington sought for operational support in the ongoing regional conflict. Starmer initially declined the request, prompting criticism from the US President.

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Following the backlash, Starmer later reversed his position, permitting the use of the bases for “specific and limited defensive purposes.” The U-turn aimed to balance UK sovereignty concerns with allied obligations.

Analysts said the episode highlights the diplomatic sensitivities in managing military cooperation during high-stakes conflicts. While the UK affirmed its support for allies, it also sought to maintain operational and political autonomy in its overseas territories.

Trump’s comments signal the continued scrutiny of allied decisions by Washington as the conflict with Iran escalates, and underscore the importance of timely coordination in multilateral military operations.

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