Britain risks losing its status as Washington’s closest partner after Donald Trump questioned whether the UK remained America’s « number one ally » and threatened that Nato itself could be finished if allies failed to act over Iran.
Speaking to reporters, Trump demanded European nations deploy military forces to tackle what he called « bad actors » on Iran’s coastline and help clear the Strait of Hormuz — insisting the burden fell more heavily on Europe and China, which depend far more on Gulf oil than the US does.
« If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response I think it will be very bad for the future of Nato, » he said.
Trump also issued a pointed warning to Ukraine, framing American support as a favour that now required repayment.
« We didn’t have to help them with Ukraine. Ukraine is thousands of miles away from us… But we helped them. Now we’ll see if they help us, » he said.
Britain called out
Despite describing the UK as America’s « longest-serving » ally, Trump made clear to the Finanical Times he felt let down by Sir Keir Starmer‘s government when military cooperation was needed most.
He said that when he « asked for them to come, they didn’t want to come. »
The strain had already been signalled by Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who told GB News the two leaders’ relationship was in trouble.
« The President’s position is that we do plenty for Europe, plenty for the UK in trade, defence and the support we give to Nato, » Witkoff said. « Sometimes the response back, the reciprocity… is a little bit lacking. I would leave it at that. »
Ships arrive too late
HMS Dragon has since been sent to Cyprus, but Trump was unmoved.
« We need these ships before we win, not after we win, » he said.
The President argued the threat had already passed, claiming Iran had been « essentially decimated » and was now capable only of causing minor disruption — repeating last week’s line that the conflict was won, though not « won enough. »
The fighting has continued to claim lives. Six American refuelling crew members killed in a crash in western Iraq were named on Friday. A French soldier died the previous day in an Iranian drone strike. On Sunday, an Italian aircraft was destroyed at a base in Kuwait, while RAF Akrotiri — Britain’s sovereign base — was hit by a drone launched from Lebanon, escaping without serious damage.
Oil markets registered the tension, with Brent crude reaching $104 a barrel on Sunday evening — its highest point since Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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