Keir Starmer has cautioned Donald Trump against retaliating against Britain and other NATO allies for not supporting the U.S. in the conflict with Iran, emphasizing the significance of the alliance to American interests. The Trump administration has suggested it might “audit” its international partners, hinting at the possibility of withdrawing military forces from countries deemed uncooperative in the war effort, while rewarding those that are supportive. This development adds to the growing tension between the U.S. and its allies, following a remark by Starmer targeting the White House. In a Guardian article, after a discussion with Trump regarding Iran, Starmer subtly criticized those leaders who “inflame” tensions and increase expenses. This echoed his earlier comments made during a visit to the Gulf, where he expressed frustration over rising costs in the UK attributed to actions by both Putin and Trump.

This morning, Starmer highlighted that NATO membership is beneficial to America, describing it as “a defensive alliance that has kept us safer for decades.” When questioned about whether he discussed Trump’s threats to exit NATO during their recent call, Starmer told the media, “I believe this will lead to a stronger European role within NATO, and we should embrace that. We’re already making strides by coordinating strategically with our NATO partners.” The U.S. maintains 13 military bases and approximately 10,000 personnel in Britain, whose withdrawal could have significant security and economic repercussions. A 2012 USAF analysis indicated their contribution of $1.3 billion to the economy, including nearly £200 million in local jobs. A broader withdrawal of 80,000 troops from Western Europe would heighten the continent’s vulnerability to Russian threats.

This situation unfolds as the ceasefire between the U.S., Israel, and Iran teeters on the brink of collapse, following Trump’s accusations of Tehran violating the agreement amid ongoing missile strikes across the Middle East. Merely two days after Trump declared a ceasefire in the six-week conflict, it appears to be slipping beyond his control. As of Thursday, there was no indication that Iran intended to lift its nearly complete blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israel’s continued assaults on Lebanon as a major hurdle. Since the ceasefire’s announcement on Tuesday night, only a few ships have navigated the Strait, with reports that Iran is demanding hefty tolls from shipping companies for safe passage. Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire by obstructing ship transit through the waterway, further questioning the deal’s viability.

‘Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,’ he wrote on his social media site on Thursday, adding: ‘That is not the agreement we have!’ The post came after Iran’s Supreme Leader released a statement demanding ‘blood money’ from the US and Israel after denouncing them as ‘criminal aggressors’. ‘We will undoubtedly demand compensation for every single damage inflicted, the blood money of the martyrs, and the diyah of the war-wounded,’ Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said in a message broadcast on Iranian state TV. No decision has been made on punishments linked to the audit, and the White House has not directed the Pentagon to draw up concrete plans for a troop reduction in Europe, a US official told Reuters. But the discussions alone underscore how sharply relations between Washington and its European NATO allies have deteriorated in recent months.

They also suggest that a visit to the White House on Wednesday by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte failed to significantly improve transatlantic relations, which are arguably at their lowest point since NATO’s 1949 founding. The White House has publicly said that Trump has considered withdrawing from the alliance altogether. Removing troops from Europe would allow Trump to dramatically lessen Washington’s security commitments on the continent, without formally withdrawing, a move that would test constitutional law. This morning John Healey pointedly said how much the US had benefitted from UK permission to use its bases for defensive actions in the conflict. ‘If you look, even in this current conflict, the basing permissions that we in the UK have agreed with the US have been invaluable to their military operations,’ the Defence Secretary told a London conference. On Thursday a Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump from Qatar this evening. ‘The Prime Minister set out his discussions with Gulf leaders and military planners in the region on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the UK’s efforts to convene partners to agree a viable plan. ‘They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution. ‘The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible.’

Sir Keir earlier appeared to blame Mr Trump for rising bills alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, telling ITV’s Talking Politics Podcast: ‘I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump.’ He added the ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz must have ‘toll-free navigation’ as part of the ceasefire amid reports Iran wants to charge for passage. Asked whether he viewed the critical strait as now being open, he said: ‘There are a lot of things being said – they need to be tested’ and that the UK’s position is that ‘open’ means ‘open for safe navigation’. ‘That means toll-free navigation and vessels can get through,’ he told Talking Politics. In a Guardian article overnight the PM reiterated his position that the UK should not join the war, adding: ‘We act to reduce escalation, not inflame it. ‘We work with allies, not alone. And we protect our security without losing sight of our economic stability.’