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Portsmouth Today
By the People, for the People
Trump Criticizes UK's Starmer for Joining 'War US Has Already Won'
Former president says UK no longer needs aircraft carriers in Middle East after US victory
Published on Mar. 8, 2026
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Former President Donald Trump criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying he was joining the war in Iran after the U.S. has "already won." Trump claimed the U.K. was finally considering sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East, but said "we don't need them any longer." Starmer had condemned "indiscriminate" attacks by Iran and said Britain has agreed to the U.S. request to use British bases for a "limited" purpose.
Why it matters
The dispute between Trump and Starmer highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and its allies over military involvement in the Middle East. Trump's claim that the U.S. has "already won" the war suggests differing views on the status of the conflict, while Starmer's caution about repeating "the mistakes of Iraq" points to concerns about escalation.
The details
Trump's statement came after the U.K. Ministry of Defense said one of the country's two aircraft carriers had been placed on advanced readiness in Portsmouth, England, for a possible mobilization to the Middle East. A British destroyer, HMS Dragon, is also waiting to leave for Cyprus. Starmer condemned the "indiscriminate" attacks by Iran and said Britain has agreed to the U.S. request to use British bases for a "limited" purpose. British fighter jets are also flying over Jordan, Cyprus and Qatar to strengthen defense in the region.
- On March 8, 2026, Trump criticized Starmer on Truth Social.
- The U.K. Ministry of Defense announced the aircraft carrier mobilization prior to Trump's statement.
The players
Donald Trump
Former President of the United States who criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Keir Starmer
Current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who condemned "indiscriminate" attacks by Iran and agreed to allow the U.S. to use British bases for a "limited" purpose.
UK Ministry of Defense
Announced that one of the U.K.'s two aircraft carriers had been placed on advanced readiness in Portsmouth, England, for a possible mobilization to the Middle East.
What they’re saying
“The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East. That's OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don't need them any longer — But we will remember. We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!”
— Donald Trump, Former President of the United States (Truth Social)
“While the region has been plunged into chaos, my focus is providing calm, levelheaded leadership in the national interest. That means deploying our military and diplomatic strength to protect our people. And it means having the strength to stand firm by our values and our principles, no matter the pressure to do otherwise.”
— Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (BBC)
What’s next
The U.K. government will decide whether to deploy the aircraft carriers to the Middle East in the coming days or weeks.
The takeaway
The dispute between Trump and Starmer highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and its allies over military involvement in the Middle East, with differing views on the status of the conflict and the appropriate response.
