Cooper Rejects Outsourcing Foreign Policy Amid US-UK Tensions
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has firmly stated that the United Kingdom will not "outsource our foreign policy" to other nations, responding directly to recent criticism from former US President Donald Trump and former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair regarding the UK's handling of the Iran conflict. The remarks come amid a growing diplomatic rift over military decisions in the Middle East.
Trump's Criticism and UK's Defensive Stance
Sir Keir Starmer's initial refusal to grant permission for the first wave of US military action against Iran from UK bases prompted a barrage of criticism from Donald Trump, who personally attacked the Prime Minister as "not Winston Churchill". Trump later commented on social media that the UK was "finally giving thought" to sending aircraft carriers, but added "we don't need them any longer" and criticized allies joining conflicts after victories.
However, Sir Keir subsequently authorized "defensive" US action against Iranian missile sites from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia. This weekend, four American bombers landed at Fairford, with UK bases now supporting specific defensive operations to prevent Iranian missile launches in the region.
Cooper's Defense of UK Sovereignty
In an interview with BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Cooper emphasized: "It's for the US president to decide what he thinks is in the US national interest... But it is our job as the UK Government to decide what's in the UK national interest." She stressed that this does not mean simply agreeing with other countries or delegating foreign policy decisions.
The Foreign Secretary defended Sir Keir's approach, stating he would focus on "calm, steady decision-making" rather than rhetoric, and that the Prime Minister is "right to stand up for Britain and Britain's interests." She also addressed criticism from Sir Tony Blair, who argued the UK should have backed America from the beginning, by emphasizing the importance of learning from the Iraq war.
Military Preparations and Domestic Criticism
The Ministry of Defence has increased the preparedness of aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and reduced its deployment time, though no final decision has been made to send the warship. Additional military assets include a Merlin helicopter for surveillance and continued RAF Typhoon and F-35 jet operations over Jordan, Qatar, and Cyprus.
However, the UK faces domestic criticism over defense planning. Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick stated that while his party doesn't support offensive UK action, Sir Keir should have "absolutely" granted immediate US access to bases. He called it "one of the worst failures of military planning in recent years" that the UK didn't deploy ships to the region despite US preparations.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp labeled the delayed deployment of HMS Dragon and HMS Prince of Wales a "dereliction of duty," noting both ships remain in Portsmouth despite weeks of advance knowledge about US plans. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of being "too scared to make foreign interventions."
Ongoing Regional Challenges
The UK also faces scrutiny over the defense of Cyprus, where a UK base was recently struck by a drone. While France and Greece have already deployed military assets to protect the island, HMS Dragon isn't expected in the eastern Mediterranean until next week as it undergoes extended sea-readiness preparations.
Meanwhile, the government continues evacuation efforts, with a third charter flight scheduled from Muscat, Oman, and plans for a commercial flight from Dubai early next week to bring British nationals home from the region.
