Divisions are emerging over Sir Keir Starmer’s response to the Iran conflict, but many Independent readers say the prime minister is right to resist pressure to join another Middle East war.
Both Donald Trump and former prime minister Tony Blair have criticised Sir Keir, sparking a flurry of debate. Several commenters praised the PM for refusing to follow the US into direct military action, with some saying the decision showed more “backbone” than Blair demonstrated before the 2003 Iraq invasion. For these readers, the lessons of Iraq remain central, and they believe Britain should avoid repeating what they see as a disastrous intervention.
Others saw the dispute as evidence that the “special relationship” between the UK and US has become one-sided, with Trump expecting loyalty rather than partnership. Some argued Britain must stand firm in its own national interest, even if that strains diplomatic ties or trade negotiations.
Several readers also criticised Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and other right-wing politicians, accusing them of aligning too closely with Trump and undermining Britain’s position.
However, a minority warned the situation is more complicated, pointing to Britain’s strategic, economic and defence interests in the Gulf and its long-standing military cooperation with the US.
Here’s what you had to say:
Starmer has played this well
Didn’t Trump’s dad get him out of going to the Vietnam War (1955–1975)? And wasn’t it Starmer’s uncle who was hurt in the Iraq war on a ship, and who had family who gave up their lives in the Second World War?
I just hope we do not get dragged into another Middle East war. People like Farage, Trump and a Conservative leader who are calling for us to back Trump no matter what should put their own lives on the line – and send their own children before they send ours.
In all, Starmer’s played this pretty well. And the criticism from Trump and Blair proves it. If Starmer backed this war he would be blamed for the oil prices going up, which they have done. The high oil prices will lead to another cost-of-living crisis. The right wing are wanting more war, which means they will be blamed. Starmer can now blame the right-wing press and politicians for the cost of living crisis.
This war proves again that going to 100 per cent green energy is the way forward.
There is no ‘special relationship’
The so-called “special relationship” consists of Trump expecting the UK to just blindly support him no matter what, or else he will threaten tariffs and pull back on trade deals.
This just shows that since Trump took office there is no special relationship – just a president expecting obedience in return for very little. Any trade deals would likely favour America anyway. Farage, on the other hand, is shamelessly trying to suck up to Trump at every opportunity.
Starmer should stand his ground
The “special relationship” has now become an abusive relationship. Starmer should stand his ground on behalf of the British people and British interests. His first loyalty is to the UK and not Israel or the US and their very likely illegal war.
It was bad enough the UK was still selling arms to Israel after genocide was declared in Gaza. We may be able to rebuild a relationship with the US in the future, but this Republican administration is so extreme I don’t see how we can work with them.
Starmer shows more backbone than Blair did
Starmer has shown more backbone than Blair ever did, when he kowtowed to Bush, who invaded Iraq on the pretext that Iraq was responsible for 9/11, which turned out to be untrue.
I’m not Starmer's biggest fan, but on this issue he sent a message to Trump that we’re not going to be at Trump’s beck and call every time the Donald decides to invade another country.
The UK cannot simply abandon its interests in the Gulf
It's not that simple. We have a lot of business interests and people in the Gulf, not just oil and shipping companies. Lloyd’s of London is the largest insurer of shipping. We can’t abandon them, no matter whose fault it is.
Besides, the Gulf states are set to spend an insane amount of money on military and anti-drone technology, and the UK has some of the leading companies in this area. So a lot of that is likely to come our way. But it won’t go down well if we appear to have abandoned them as they are coming under attack.
Keep this conflict at arm’s length
The Iraq war was fought under false pretences, when everyone knew Iraq had no WMDs. In fact, Saddam Hussein was bluffing about Iraq's military capability because, having invaded Kuwait, he was terrified of Iran – another bully who met his rightful end.
Tony Blair is the reason I will never vote Labour. The USA would have done what they did anyway, without any plan for how to win the peace. History has shown that ISIS pop up wherever there is a power vacuum. Present events show they have learnt nothing. Now it seems likely there will be another religious clone in charge of a weakened Iran.
The UK and the EU are right to keep this conflict at arm’s length. The USA have quite a list of pointless wars behind them with no real end.
Closer ties with the EU may become necessary
The more Trump pushes, the quicker Starmer must remove barriers with the EU. If the “special relationship” is so fragile it can’t withstand a difference in policy, then it is not worth having.
As for Farage and his antics, no politician who lobbies against their own country on matters of national security should be permitted any role in public life.
Standing firm
So if the same disrespect was shown to their armed forces, would any country’s leader give in to this bullying? That’s political suicide.
Don’t have to like Starmer to realise he’s right on this one. Hope it stays that way.
British forces are already indirectly involved
Prodding a reluctant mule is not as exciting as riding a noble stallion, but British planes are defending Jordan and thus indirectly Cyprus, and are interlinked with America. So the insults aimed at Starmer and Britain are not deserved.
Better Starmer’s Labour than Farage or the Conservatives
Starmer’s Labour are flawed and have made many mistakes and epic own goals which have been exploited by the vicious smear campaigning of the right-wing media and press.
But as a lifelong Labour voter, I would rather Starmer’s government than the UK being sold out to corporate American interests via Farage and Reform UK or the Tories.
Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.
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