The ongoing U.S.-led military campaign against Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, has intensified diplomatic tensions between longtime allies the United States and the United Kingdom. U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over Britain’s delayed military support, describing the UK’s recent moves as “too little, too late.”
In a post on his social media platform, Trump stated: “The United Kingdom, our once great ally, maybe the greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East. That’s okay, Prime Minister Starmer. We don’t need them any longer, but we will remember we don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won.”
The remarks followed reports that the UK had placed one of its aircraft carriers, the HMS Prince of Wales, on advanced readiness for potential deployment to the region. Earlier, Starmer had initially refused U.S. requests to use British military bases for offensive strikes against Iran, opting instead to permit their use only for what the UK described as limited “defensive” operations—such as countering Iranian missile threats targeting allies. Starmer emphasized that the UK would not participate in offensive actions or pursue “regime change from the skies,” citing lessons from past conflicts like Iraq.
Following Trump’s public rebuke, the two leaders held a phone call to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and ongoing military cooperation between the two nations, including the use of RAF bases to support collective self-defense efforts in the region.
Arab-Israeli advocate and former IDF soldier Yoseph Hadad, appearing on a news program, weighed in on the controversy surrounding Starmer’s approach. Hadad contrasted Starmer’s perceived hesitation with Trump’s decisive stance, arguing that weak leadership emboldens extremists. He recalled Britain’s historical strength under Winston Churchill in defeating the Nazis alongside the U.S., suggesting that a delayed or conditional response today undermines alliances in times of crisis.
Hadad described the Iranian regime as a terrorist entity that chants “death to America” and “death to Israel,” protects its 1979 Islamic Revolution through the Revolutionary Guards, and has no interest in genuine negotiations. He claimed the regime has massacred over 40,000 people recently, suppresses human rights—particularly for women—and seeks to impose Sharia law beyond Iran. Hadad warned that the regime views Israel as the “small devil” to eliminate before targeting the “big devil,” the United States, and ultimately the West.
He urged Western leaders to recognize that dialogue and diplomacy are ineffective against a regime he called untrustworthy and sadistic, predicting it would deceive negotiators while pursuing its agenda. Hadad called for the complete destruction of the Iranian regime, stating it would benefit the Iranian people seeking freedom, Israeli security, Middle East stability, and the Western world. He praised Trump for acting not just for America but for the survival of the West against a regime that hates all.
Addressing domestic protests in Israel against strikes on Iran, Hadad—an Arab Israeli—noted attending one such demonstration to counter perceptions of division. He emphasized that a tiny minority protested, not representative of Israeli society, and used the opportunity to send a message of solidarity to Iranians: “We are with you guys. We want to see your freedom and your win is our win and your fight is our fight.” He highlighted Israel’s democratic nature, contrasting it with accusations of apartheid by noting his ability as an Arab to protest freely.
Hadad criticized Western left-wing groups, feminists, and organizations for selective outrage—focusing on certain conflicts while ignoring Iranian atrocities—and accused them of aligning with extremists due to internal political agendas or influence from radical elements. He pointed to examples like protests against Israel while overlooking repression in Iran, and mocked “useful idiots” who support causes that would undermine their own values, such as LGBT rights, under the Iranian regime.
On the war’s progress, Hadad expressed support for Trump’s stated goal of unconditional surrender, where Iran either capitulates or is rendered militarily useless. He advocated cutting off the “head of the snake”—the Iranian regime—to weaken its proxies like the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah, arguing that incomplete actions in the past allowed groups to regroup and strengthen. Hadad conveyed confidence in the Israeli spirit and readiness to continue fighting alongside the U.S. until regime change is achieved.
The exchange underscores deepening strains in the U.S.-UK special relationship amid the escalating conflict, as the U.S. and Israel press forward with strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities, while Britain calibrates its involvement carefully.