Donald Trump has claimed that King Charles would have probably supported the United States in its military offensive against Iran. The US president made the remarks in the Oval Office following the King's address to Congress, where Charles emphasised the importance of a strong Nato and support for Ukraine—positions criticised by Trump.
Trump's Praise for the King
Mr Trump has repeatedly lambasted the UK for failing to join strikes against Tehran and branded Sir Keir Starmer as weak and indecisive. Speaking about the King, Trump said: "The King is fantastic. We spent a lot of time together. We had a lot of talk. We talked about this also, and he loves his country, and he's a great king, and he's a great friend of mine. And I think if he were doing that, if that were up to him, he would have probably helped us with Iran."
Mr Trump added: "I think he's a phenomenal representative for his country. I think the people in the United Kingdom should be proud."
State Banquet Comments
The president also used a speech during the King's state visit to claim that Charles agreed with him on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb. At a white-tie state banquet, Trump said: "We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we're never going to let that opponent ever – Charles agrees with me, even more than I do – we're never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon."
In response, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson stated: "The King is naturally mindful of his Government's long-standing and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation."
Strait of Hormuz Tensions
As part of the state visit, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and her US counterpart Marco Rubio held talks in Washington on the urgent need to restore free movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The Iran conflict and ensuing stand-off between the US and Tehran amid a fragile truce has effectively closed the shipping lane, a major route for oil and gas supplies, sending energy prices soaring and damaging the global economy.
Following the meeting, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said: "The secretary and Foreign Secretary discussed the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz." In a later tweet, Ms Cooper said she had discussed both the Middle East and Euro-Atlantic security, adding: "We discussed our shared focus on getting the Strait of Hormuz re-opened without Iranian tolls or restrictions."
First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins commented that the closure of the maritime route and the international shock it caused showed that "sea power is vital". The strait, which was open prior to the US and Israel launching strikes against Iran, has become a focus of transatlantic tensions.
US Defence Secretary's Remarks
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth recently dismissed efforts led by the UK and France to ensure future security of the waterway as "silly", suggesting they should have "less fancy conferences in Europe and get in a boat". He said Europe needed the strait "much more than we do" and that it was "much more their fight than ours".
Giving evidence to Congress, Mr Hegseth said the Pentagon had "looked at all aspects" of the risk that Iran would block the shipping route. Appearing with him, US military chief General Dan Caine stated: "We always offer a full range of military options that are carefully considered with the associated risks with those options and the considerations therein."
Trump's Threats to Iran
Earlier, Mr Trump warned that Iran had "better get smart" about a nuclear deal as he appeared to threaten a return to military action. The president posted an image of himself brandishing an assault rifle against the backdrop of an exploding hillside with the caption "no more Mr Nice Guy". He wrote on Truth Social: "Iran can't get their act together. They don't know how to sign a nonnuclear (sic) deal. They better get smart soon!"
The president has justified the US-Israeli offensive, arguing it is aimed at halting Iran's nuclear weapons programme.
