Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump about the countries’ military co-operation amid the US president’s latest rebuke over the UK’s support in the conflict in Iran.
Sir Keir’s decision not to grant permission for the first wave of military action prompted a raft of criticism from Mr Trump in recent days, including a personal attack on the Prime Minister as being “not Winston Churchill”.
The Prime Minister has now granted permission for “defensive” US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases.
After reports that the UK was preparing an aircraft carrier to go to the Middle East, the US president posted on Saturday that the UK was “finally giving thought” to sending two but said “we don’t need them any longer”.
He added: “But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won!”
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the two leaders spoke on Sunday afternoon.
“The leaders began by discussing the latest situation in the Middle East and the military co-operation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region.
“The Prime Minister also shared his heartfelt condolences with President Trump and the American people following the deaths of six US soldiers.”
Sir Keir has sought to play down the rift with the US, saying earlier this week that the special relationship is “in operation right now” as the two countries share intelligence and work together amid the Middle East conflict.
The Prime Minister has also defended his decision not to permit the US to use British bases in the opening assault against the Tehran regime, suggesting it could have been unlawful.
He agreed a week ago to allow the US to strike Iran defensively from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean.
This weekend four American bombers landed at Fairford and the US started using British bases for “specific defensive operations” to prevent Iran firing missiles in the region.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed that UK forces successfully engaged a one-way attack drone fired from Iran towards Iraq last night as RAF Typhoons and F-35 jets conduct defensive sorties across the region.
And a Merlin helicopter that can fly up to a mile in height and give advance warning of incoming drones or missiles is due to join.
The Ministry of Defence said it was increasing the preparedness of aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and reducing the time it would take to set sail, but that no decisions had been taken to deploy the warship.
Meanwhile, a third Government charter flight to bring Britons home from the region is due to leave Muscat, Oman, on Sunday just before 7pm UK time and there are plans to charter a commercial flight from Dubai early next week.
More than 32,000 British nationals have now departed the region, which includes the Gulf countries as well as Israel and Lebanon, by air since March 1.
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