Newscast Donald Trump Is "Not Happy" With Keir Starmer Over Iran
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Mar 3, 2026 
Chris Mason, Westminster political analyst; Darshini David, economics editor; Jane Corbin, Middle East filmmaker. They discuss Trump’s public attack on Keir Starmer and the Diego Garcia row. They cover UK legal and military calculations, market reactions with oil and gas moves, and unfolding strikes and regional targets in Iran.
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Trump's Personal Attack Over Diego Garcia Delay
- Donald Trump publicly criticised Keir Starmer for refusing immediate US use of Diego Garcia, calling him "not Winston Churchill" and saying it delayed US operations by days.
- The Oval Office rhetoric combined personal attacks with strategic complaint about runway access and refuelling logistics that increased US operational costs.
UK Differentiates Sovereignty Issue From Immediate Legal Judgment
- The UK government distinguishes long-term sovereignty questions over Diego Garcia from the immediate legal judgement that allowing runway use would have been unlawful and therefore wrong.
- The Prime Minister and legal advisers judged initial UK assistance would amount to involvement, later authorising defensive actions once UK assets were threatened.
UK Frames Refusal As Protecting National Sovereignty
- Downing Street's response has been restrained; politically they see Starmer's decision as prideful defence of national interest even if it strains relations with a vocal US president.
- Early polling suggested UK public opposed US initial strikes and supported the Prime Minister's caution.