President Donald Trump has told the UK’s Daily Telegraph he was “very disappointed” with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s initial refusal to let Washington use British military bases in its war against Iran, AFP reports.

Trump told The Daily in an exclusive interview that Starmer’s initial refusal over the use of the Indian Ocean Chagos Islands base was unlike anything that had “happened between our countries before”, adding: “It took far too much time. Far too much time.”

Starmer later relented, saying he had agreed to British bases being used for “specific and limited defensive purpose”.

US President Donald Trump attends an event in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on September 2, 2025. — Reuters/File Photo
US President Donald Trump attends an event in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on September 2, 2025. — Reuters/File Photo

Opinion

Editorial

Immunity gap
26 Apr, 2026

Immunity gap

VACCINES rarely make the headlines unless there is an outbreak. This World Immunisation Week, it is a moment to...
Danger on repeat
26 Apr, 2026

Danger on repeat

DISASTERS have typically been framed as acts of nature. Of late, they look increasingly like tests of preparedness...
Loose lips
26 Apr, 2026

Loose lips

PAKISTANIS have by now gained something of an international reputation for their gallows humour, but it seems that...
Lebanon truce
Updated 25 Apr, 2026

Lebanon truce

THE fact that the truce between Israel and Lebanon has been extended for three weeks should be welcomed. But there...
Terrorism again
25 Apr, 2026

Terrorism again

THE elimination of 22 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in Khyber highlights both the scale and ...
Taxing technology
25 Apr, 2026

Taxing technology

THE recent decision by the FBR’s Directorate General of Customs Valuation to increase the ‘assessed value’ of...