British Prime Keir Starmer has spoken to US President Donald Trump about the military cooperation between the two countries in the Middle East.
Trump has rebuked Starmer on several occasions since they last spoke over a week ago over the prime minister’s initial decision not to permit the US military to use British bases in the initial attacks against Iran, describing him at one point as “not Winston Churchill”.
Starmer has now granted permission for “defensive” actions against Iranian missile sites from UK bases after Iran started attacking countries throughout the region.
Starmer’s office in No. 10 Downing Street said the pair discussed the military cooperation between the UK and US through the use of bases “in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region”.
Starmer also shared his “heartfelt condolences” following the deaths of seven US soldiers.
War continues to escalate
Israel has struck southern Lebanon, Beirut and an oil storage facility in Tehran as the war in the Middle East keeps escalating, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised “many surprises” for the next phase of the conflict.
Iran also hit a desalination plant in Bahrain. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a US airstrike damaged an Iranian desalination plant on Qeshm Island, warning that in doing so “the US set this precedent, not Iran.” Such infrastructure is critical for drinking water supplies in the parched deserts of the Gulf.
An Israeli attack on an oil storage facility in Tehran sent up pillars of fire that could be seen in Associated Press video as a glow against the night sky. It appeared to be the first time a civil industrial facility has been targeted in the war.
The conflict has rattled global markets, disrupted air travel and left Iran’s leadership weakened by hundreds of Israeli and American airstrikes.
Seventh American killed in Iran operations, military confirms
The US military announced an American service member has died of injuries sustained during an Iranian attack on troops stationed in Saudi Arabia.
The seventh American service member killed in the Iran war was an Army soldier, a US official who was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed to The Associated Press.
The service member died on Saturday from injuries sustained during a March 1 Iranian attack on the kingdom
The American death toll since the start of combat operations now stands at seven. Six Army reservists were also killed in the March 1 attack on Kuwait.
All seven casualties from the war in Iran were Army soldiers. The first six deaths were Army reservists killed in a March 1 attack on a command centre in a Kuwaiti port.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Christopher Luxon says he’s not quitting, and the Black Caps fall at the final T20 World Cup hurdle. (Source: 1News)
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