British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that the United Kingdom would act in its national interest and would not alter its stance on the Iran conflict.
Starmer made the remarks while responding to comments by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a possible U.S. withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
He reaffirmed that Britain would maintain its current position despite growing international pressure and ongoing tensions surrounding the alliance.
At a press conference at 10 Downing Street, Starmer said there had been “a good deal of pressure” on him to change his stance on joining the war, but that he would not do so.
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“Whatever the pressure, whatever the noise, I am the British prime minister and I have to act in our national interests,” he said.
The prime minister added that he would not choose between Europe and the United States.
“But I do think that when it comes to defence and security, energy emissions and the economy, we need a stronger relationship with Europe,” he said.
On Wednesday, Trump said he is strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO after the alliance failed to join the attacks on Iran, and called the alliance “a paper tiger,” according to The Telegraph reports.
Trump also singled out Britain, saying the country has “aircraft carriers that didn’t work,” suggesting that the British navy is inadequate for the task.
NAN
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