UK Defence Secretary Urges US to Base Judgment on Gulf Actions, Not Trump's Social Media Posts
Defence Secretary John Healey has emphatically stated that the United States should evaluate the United Kingdom's value based on its concrete actions in the Gulf region, rather than on former President Donald Trump's social media commentary. Speaking at a high-profile conference in London, Healey asserted that the UK's recent military and diplomatic efforts in the volatile area "spoke for themselves."
UK Military Bases Deemed 'Invaluable' to US Operations
Healey highlighted the critical role of UK military bases, which have provided essential support to American forces. "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," he declared. The Defence Secretary stressed that focusing on tangible actions, rather than mere exchanges of words or online posts, reveals the enduring strength of the UK-US partnership.
This statement comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer returns from a diplomatic tour that included discussions with Donald Trump on securing the Strait of Hormuz, alongside meetings with leaders in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. Prior to a ceasefire announced by Trump late Tuesday—which Starmer described as "fragile" based on regional assessments—the UK spearheaded a planning session involving military officials from 35 nations. This coalition explored strategies to safeguard the strait in a post-conflict scenario, including the removal of Iranian mines.
Starmer Details Call with Trump on Strait of Hormuz Security
In Doha, Prime Minister Starmer provided specifics about his Thursday evening conversation with the former US president. "I had a discussion with President Trump last night and set out to him the views of the region here," Starmer explained. "These Gulf states are the neighbours of Iran, and therefore, if the ceasefire is to hold—and we hope it will—it has to involve them."
The Prime Minister noted that the call predominantly focused on developing a practical plan to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with the UK playing a pivotal role. Beyond securing the sea route, Starmer emphasized the necessity of preventing Iran from imposing tolls on passing ships—a concern shared by Gulf leaders. Earlier in the week, Trump had floated the idea of a "joint venture" between the US and Iran to establish such fees.
Gulf Leaders Express Concerns Over Fragile Ceasefire
Starmer reported that discussions with Gulf leaders quickly turned to the precarious ceasefire, which is under threat from ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon and potential Iranian retaliation. "Obviously, the discussion moved very quickly to the ceasefire, a sense that it's fragile, that more work is needed, that the strait of Hormuz has to be part of the solution, a very strong sense that there can't be tolling or restrictions on that navigation," he stated.
NATO Tensions and UK's Stance on Alliance Support
The backdrop to these diplomatic efforts includes Trump's renewed criticism of NATO allies, whom he accuses of insufficient support during the Iran conflict. Reports suggest Washington may audit NATO members to identify those deserving punishment for perceived lack of backing. In response, Starmer acknowledged the need for European NATO members to "do more" but firmly defended the alliance's importance to American interests.
"We're very strong supporters of NATO and I've been making the argument for some considerable time that we need to do more," Starmer affirmed. "It's the single most effective military alliance the world has ever known. NATO is a defensive alliance, which for decades has kept us much safer than we would otherwise have been. So we're strong supporters of NATO. We'll always be strong supporters of NATO."
Healey's remarks and Starmer's diplomatic engagements underscore the UK's proactive role in Gulf security and its commitment to reinforcing international alliances, even amid political tensions amplified by social media discourse.
