UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has distanced Britain from the recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran, telling Parliament the government “does not believe in regime change from the skies.” His remarks mark a significant public disagreement with US President Donald Trump over the handling of the escalating crisis.
Addressing MPs for more than two hours, Starmer suggested the American and Israeli actions were neither right nor clearly lawful under international law. However, he defended his decision to permit the US to use British airbases to target Iranian missile launch sites, arguing it was both legal and necessary to protect UK allies in the Gulf from further attacks.
The debate repeatedly evoked memories of the Iraq war, with Starmer — a former senior lawyer — stressing the importance of legality in military action. He acknowledged that interpretations differ, noting that Conservative peer David Wolfson has argued UK involvement could fall within international law.
While most Labour MPs appear supportive of Starmer’s stance, opposition parties remain divided. The Conservatives and Reform UK have called for stronger backing of the US and Israel, whereas the Liberal Democrats, Greens and SNP have been more critical of Washington.
A recent YouGov poll indicates that a majority of Britons oppose both the US strikes and the UK’s decision to allow American forces to operate from British bases.