‘This is not our war’: Keir Starmer announces UK will not be dragged into Iran war while Trump threatens to pull out of NATO, calls it ‘paper tiger’

On the 1st of April 2026, Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, made an unambiguous announcement that his country will not be “dragged” into the US-Iran war. The announcement came amidst US President Donald Trump’s repeated verbal attacks on Europe for failing to deploy warships to aid US forces in clearing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. In a national address, PM Starmer said, “The conflict in the Middle East has now entered a second month. And while we are working at pace for de-escalation and peace, it is now clear that the impact of this war will affect the future of our country. So today, I want to reassure the British people that no matter how fierce this storm, we are well-placed to weather it and that we have a long-term plan to emerge from it a stronger and more secure nation.” Keir Starmer on Iran:This is not our war. We will not be drawn into the conflict.That is not in our national interest. pic.twitter.com/dS77KJWuvj— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 1, 2026 “First – let me say once again: this is not our war. We will not be drawn into the conflict. That is not in our national interest,” Starmer asserted. The British Prime Minister, however, stressed that while the UK will not enter the Iran war directly, it does not mean the country will simply stand aside. He said that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will host an international summit to discuss the imperative of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, currently blockaded by Iran. In what holds a special significance amidst shifting loyalties and changing geopolitical dynamics, Starmer emphasised that the UK’s relations with the European allies are not mere diplomatic niceties but are central to the country’s interests. “We will continue to stand up for the British national interest, and we will continue to do what we must to guide our country calmly through this storm. However, it is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union,” Starmer said. When asked about Trump’s declaration that the US would not come to the UK’s aid anymore, and how the British Prime Minister sees it, Starmer said, “Firstly, NATO is the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen, and it has kept us safe for many decades, and we are fully committed to NATO. Whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I am going to act in the British national interest in all decisions that I make. That’s why I have been absolutely clear that this is not our war, or we are not going to get dragged into it.” – Trump said he wouldn't come to the aid of the UK anymore… How seriously do you take that threat from our main ally? – 'Whatever the pressure, I'm the British Prime Minister and I have to act in our national interests' pic.twitter.com/KfHgO8rPRE— RT (@RT_com) April 1, 2026 Trump threatens to pull US out of NATO, calls it ‘paper tiger’, as Europe remains reluctant to join the Iran war On Wednesday, 01 April 2026, US President Donald Trump expressed his dismay over NATO allies refusing to send warships to aid in clearing the Iran-imposed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has led to global oil and gas supply disruptions and a price spike. Donald Trump said in an interview that the possibility of the US withdrawing from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), is now “beyond reconsideration”. He described the defence bloc as a “paper tiger”. “Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration,” he said when asked if he would revisit US membership. I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way,” Trump said. Trump further lamented that while the US was there for Ukraine when Russia launched an offensive in 2022, even as it was not America’s problem, now, when there is a need for NATO allies to aid the US in its military offensive against Iran, the bloc says this is not our war. “Beyond not being there, it was actually hard to believe. And I didn’t do a big sale. I just said, ’Hey, you know, I didn’t insist too much. I just think it should be automatic. We’ve been there automatically, including Ukraine. Ukraine wasn’t our problem. It was a test, and we were there for them, and we would always have been there for them. They weren’t there for us,” Trump said. The American President bashed the UK in particular for failing to deploy warships in the US-Israel war against Iran. Trump resorted to mocking the British navy and said, “You don’t even have a navy. You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work. I’m not going to tell him what to do. He can do whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter. All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof.” It is interesting to note, however, that while the UK may have refused to deploy warships and troops to West Asia to aid American forces against Iran, and is facing Trump’s anger, the country continues to allow American warplanes to land at its bases. In recent weeks, US warplanes, including B-1B Lancer bombers and AC-130J Ghostrider gunships, have landed at the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF) bases, particularly the RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. These deployments are a part of the US’s expansion of the presence of American troops and warships in West Asia, which indicates that Washington might be planning a ground invasion of Iranian territory. However, Donald Trump has continuously been complaining about European countries refusing to join American forces in clearing the Strait of Hormuz blockade. France, UK, China, South Korea, Australia and Japan, one after the other, America’s ‘allies’ declined Trump’s appeal to join American forces in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The frustration has reached a point where Trump urged France and other countries which want to secure oil or gas to either buy it from the US, or go to the Strait, and “get your own oil”. “All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT. You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself; the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on 31st March. The American President has been attacking UK and other countries for refusing military aid against Iran to clear the Hormuz blockade, even as it is the US and Israel themselves to blame for the blockade and its detrimental global impact. On one hand, Trump is shifting the blame for the prolonged Hormuz blockade to Europe’s non-participation in the war, and is threatening to pull out of NATO; on the other, he is planning on pressuring the Gulf countries targeted by Iran into paying for the war expenses. All this while, Trump also announced that the US may wind up the military offensive against Iran in two to three weeks, even without any deal with the Iranian regime. Basically, Trump wants NATO to fix the mess he orchestrated, or he will pull the US out of the bloc. He also wants the Gulf to cover war expenses, while he gets the ‘peacemaker’, ‘liberator’ and ‘tough guy’ tag, and casually vaunts bombing Kharg Island “just for fun”. This is not the first time that Trump has threatened to pull out of NATO. He did the same during his first tenure, although under different circumstances. It is essential to note, however, that Congress has already passed a law (National Defence Authorisation Act), Sec. 1250A of which says a President cannot withdraw from NATO unilaterally without either a two-thirds Senate vote or separate new legislation.