PM says war’s impact will ‘define us for a generation’; vows to act in national interest ‘whatever the pressure’
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to the media on the situation in the Middle East, at Downing Street in central London on March 16, 2026. PHOTO: AFP
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that the global instability caused by the Iran war means Britain should align more closely with European allies on security and economy, following repeated criticism from US President Donald Trump.
At a press conference aimed at easing public concern over rising costs, Starmer said the impact of the war would “define us for a generation” and could be similar to the increase in energy prices in the 1970s.
Starmer outlined plans for another summit with the European Union in the coming weeks that he said he hoped would undo some of the “deep damage” done by Brexit.
Closer EU partnership
“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,” Starmer told reporters in Downing Street.
Trump on Tuesday again criticised European countries that refused to join the war against Iran, calling out Britain and France, as transatlantic relations deteriorate from the conflict that has driven up energy prices.
Read: UAE preparing to support US efforts to open Hormuz by force: WSJ report
The president warned Britain and other countries to “start learning how to fight for yourself” because the United States “won’t be there to help you anymore.”
After Trump was elected in 2024, Starmer tried to position himself as a conduit between Europe and the US. But their relationship has publicly deteriorated over Starmer’s refusal to join the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Starmer initially denied a request from the US to attack Iran from two British bases, but later agreed to allow what he calls defensive missions aimed at protecting residents of the region, including British citizens.
Read More: UK not ‘getting dragged’ into Middle East conflict, PM Starmer reiterates
Asked about Trump’s criticism, Starmer said “the US and UK are close allies and have been for a very, very long time” and he would act in the British national interest “whatever the pressure on me.”
Starmer did not announce any new policies to help households with soaring energy and fuel costs, but he did say that Britain would this week host meetings with allies aimed at opening the Strait of Hormuz, and 35 countries were now involved in efforts.
Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper will host a meeting of the group later this week to assess diplomatic and political measures to reopen the Strait, the prime minister said, but he acknowledged it would not be easy nor immediate following de-escalation in the conflict.
