LONDON

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is “not prepared” for the UK to join a war without a clear legal basis and a detailed plan, after facing questions over why Britain has not launched offensive strikes against Iran.

“What I was not prepared to do on Saturday was for the UK to join a war unless I was satisfied there was a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan. That remains my position,” Starmer said during Prime Minister's Questions Time.

“We need to act, therefore, with clarity, with purpose, and with a cool head,” Starmer said.

He confirmed that the government will charter flights to evacuate British nationals from the Middle East.

The first charter flight “is expected to leave Oman later today, and two more will come in the coming days," he said.

Starmer added that more charter flights would be laid on in the next few days and that “British Airways is now laying on an extra flight from Oman.”

He also confirmed that on Wednesday, “more than a thousand British nationals arrived back in the UK on commercial flights from the UAE. A further eight flights are due to leave the UAE for the UK today.”

He said the UK has been working closely with the US to strengthen its military posture in the region, including the pre-deployment of radar systems, ground-based air defense, counter-drone systems, and F-35 jets.

He added that helicopters equipped with anti-drone capabilities would be deployed to the Greek Cypriot Administration this week and that the HMS Dragon warship would be sent to the Mediterranean.

'Trump's latest words are NOT the special relationship in action'

Starmer also responded to Donald Trump's claim that he is "ruining" UK-US relations.

"American planes are operating out of British bases. That is the special relationship in action... British jets are shooting down drones and missiles to protect American lives in the Middle East on our joint basis... sharing intelligence every day is the special relationship in action. Hanging on to President Trump's latest words is not the special relationship in action," he said.

Trump also said he is “very sad” to see that the UK-US relationship is “not what it was” after criticizing British Premier Keir Starmer for taking “far too long” to allow US forces to use British airbases to attack Iran.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Starmer also clashed over Iran, defense spending, and the government’s wider economic priorities.

“We're in this war, whether they like it or not," Badenoch said, as she pressed for offensive military action.

Starmer replied that steps were already being taken to reduce the threat, including allowing US aircraft to use UK bases for defensive operations.

Following Tuesday’s Spring Statement, Badenoch challenged the prime minister on how he intends to meet a pledge to spend 3% of GDP on defense by the end of parliament.

Starmer responded that his government had delivered the biggest increase in defense spending since the Cold War.

With energy prices rising, Starmer said he planned to meet oil and gas companies. Badenoch criticized Labour’s decision to halt new drilling in the North Sea.

Badenoch also accused Chancellor Rachel Reeves of prioritizing welfare over defense spending.

“The country is not going to be distracted by Labour MPs moaning—the fact of the matter is the war in Iran is happening now,” she said.

She cited the Office for Budget Responsibility, saying it showed the government would not reach 3% defense spending for five years, and accused the prime minister of lacking urgency.