The United States did not provide the United Kingdom with exact operational details or timings before launching joint airstrikes with Israel on Iran, according to government sources, in a move that has exposed tensions between Washington and London over the widening Middle East conflict.

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The decision to withhold precise information came as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially declined a U.S. request to use British military bases for the offensive operation. Sources said that while the UK was aware action was likely, it was not formally briefed on the exact moment or scope of the strikes.

The airstrikes — carried out by the U.S. and Israel — killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with dozens of senior military figures, dramatically escalating the conflict.

Intelligence but no tipoff

A Whitehall source said Britain knew military action was imminent because of the buildup of equipment moving through allied channels and intelligence shared “via the usual channels.” However, the UK was not given advance notice of the precise timing or operational details of the attack.

The British government evacuated its embassy staff from Tehran on Friday, signaling that it believed strikes were coming. Still, officials were not informed about when over the weekend the operation would unfold.

Government insiders said the UK is typically closely aligned with the U.S. on military matters, making it difficult to judge whether this level of limited notification was unusual. However, the absence of detailed coordination underscores strains in what is often described as the “special relationship.”

Trump criticizes Starmer

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Starmer for refusing to allow American forces to use British bases for the initial strikes. Trump reportedly said the special relationship was “not what it was” and dismissed Starmer as “no Churchill.”

In the days following the attack, Starmer reversed course in part, granting permission for U.S. forces to use British bases for defensive strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s missile capabilities after Tehran retaliated against targets in the Gulf.

The shift reflects the delicate balance the British government is attempting to maintain: avoiding direct involvement in offensive operations while protecting British personnel and regional allies from retaliatory attacks.

Starmer defends “special relationship”

Facing criticism in Parliament, Starmer robustly defended his approach during Prime Minister’s Questions. Conservative MP Gareth Bacon challenged him on whether his handling of the crisis had strengthened or weakened ties with Washington.

Starmer responded that British military deployments had been under way for weeks and were coordinated with U.S. forces. He emphasized that British assets were actively protecting American personnel and interests in the region.

“The American planes are operating out of British bases,” Starmer told MPs. “That is the special relationship in action. British jets are shooting down drones and missiles to protect American lives in the Middle East on our joint bases. That is the special relationship in action.”

He added that intelligence sharing between the two countries continued daily, arguing that cooperation on defense and security — rather than rhetorical exchanges — defines the alliance.

Military deployments across the region

According to the prime minister, British deployments include radar systems, ground-based air defenses, counter-drone systems and fighter jets. Since the start of the escalation, multiple F-35 and Typhoon aircraft have been operating not only in the Middle East but also from Cyprus.

Further missions were flown overnight, with Typhoon jets defending Qatar and F-35s protecting other regional partners. The UK government framed these deployments as defensive in nature and focused on protecting lives and regional stability rather than conducting offensive strikes.

A spokesperson for the prime minister reiterated that Starmer would only authorize actions deemed in Britain’s national interest and necessary to keep British citizens safe.

Strains but continued cooperation

Despite the lack of detailed advance notice, officials stressed that U.S.-UK military coordination remains extensive. American aircraft continue to operate from British bases, and intelligence cooperation has not been suspended.

However, the episode highlights a moment of friction in the transatlantic alliance at a time of heightened global instability. While both governments maintain that the special relationship endures, differences over operational decisions and political messaging have revealed a more complicated dynamic behind the scenes.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 04.03 2026

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I suspect the degree of US success so far achieved is directly related to its not sharing "details" of the attack on Iran with the UK or other allies, most of whom would probably have immediately scurried around and leaked everything they were told to the Iranians or the Chinese.

We should forget the uk exists until starmer is gone

Even Trump was not told in advance before Israel attack Iran. Trump simply follow Netanyahu's lead.

But they told me he was Putin's poodle ??

1 minute ago, johng said:

But they told me he was Putin's poodle ??

I think they both have the kompromat on him.

1 hour ago, EastBayRay said:

We should forget the uk exists until starmer is gone

We should forget the uk USA exists until starmer Trump is gone!

2 hours ago, John Drake said:

I suspect the degree of US success so far achieved is directly related to its not sharing "details" of the attack on Iran with the UK or other allies, most of whom would probably have immediately scurried around and leaked everything they were told to the Iranians or the Chinese.

The Chinese are friends with ex Prime Ministers.

3 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

We should forget the uk USA exists until starmer Trump is gone!

USA is doing great thanks to Trump.

3 minutes ago, khaosokman said:

USA is doing great thanks to Trump.

This is not the jokes and puzzles forum!

Maybe try reposting there where you will get many likes etc!

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

Even Trump was not told in advance before Israel attack Iran. Trump simply follow Netanyahu's lead.

Are you a Zionist?

14 hours ago, John Drake said:

I suspect the degree of US success so far achieved is directly related to its not sharing "details" of the attack on Iran with the UK or other allies, most of whom would probably have immediately scurried around and leaked everything they were told to the Iranians or the Chinese.

Considering that their Navy isn't/wasn't even ready to put out to sea and even now its taking a week to even get ready. Too funny

Yeh, I want them to help. lol

Too funny indeed and scary.

What if the UK had been attacked? Both aircraft carriers out of commission, surely some one must have spotted the problem there?

The ships were built to have one always available while the other is in refit/maintenance (to avoid "carrier gaps"), but persistent mechanical issues (shafts, plus occasional fires/minor incidents) have meant both have spent significant time sidelined.

By early 2026, both are effectively out of action or in limited states (e.g., HMS Queen Elizabeth in dry dock for upgrades/repairs, HMS Prince of Wales alongside in Portsmouth for maintenance after 2025 ops).

You can't blame the USA or Israel for not sharing information with the UK

the Prime Minister 2 Tier Kier is a usless clown and has embarrassed the UK on the World stage

Our Forces have been so run down as the Royal Navy has shown when they cannot provide one serviceable destroyer to provide defence and support to Cyprus against Iranian attacks

4 hours ago, Slowhand225 said:

Considering that their Navy isn't/wasn't even ready to put out to sea and even now its taking a week to even get ready. Too funny

Yeh, I want them to help. lol

Exactly. I reckon most of us on AN could predict that there was going to be some sort of strike on Iran, and that Iran has drones and missiles aplenty. Quite how Starmer et al could think they didn't need to provide defensive protection to Akrotiri and the rest of Cyprus is utterly beyond me.

Of course, the UK armed forces were decimated by previous governments (of all colours), and now it falls on labour to try to fix that. I'm sure they are 'trying', but they sure are failing.

That said, they have the assets to provide that protection, they just utterly failed to do even the most basic planning in order to get it in place. The UK's Defence Secretary should resign immediately.

Hardly surprising. Would you share anything with Starmer and his cabinet of treacherous nutters?

Starmer is a puppet of Islam who thinks islam is the future of Britain. He is totally bonkers, a traitor to his own citizens, a liar and the most hated person in the UK. His government are ruining the UK and the quicker he and his clowns are ousted from govern ing the UK, the better for the UK and the world as a whole. It is well known that Trump, quite rightly, detests Starmer and wouldn't trust him one jot. Personally I utterly detest this POS.

20 hours ago, EastBayRay said:

We should forget the uk exists until starmer is gone

Never have I agreed with a statement as much as the one above.

Absolutely spot on!

34 minutes ago, Golden Brown said:

Starmer is a puppet of Islam who thinks islam is the future of Britain. He is totally bonkers, a traitor to his own citizens, a liar and the most hated person in the UK. His government are ruining the UK and the quicker he and his clowns are ousted from govern ing the UK, the better for the UK and the world as a whole. It is well known that Trump, quite rightly, detests Starmer and wouldn't trust him one jot. Personally I utterly detest this POS.

+1

plus the majority of the UK population.

12 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

+1

plus the majority of the UK population.

on this one the polls suggest otherwise. Personally I am backing the Greens, about time we had some nutters running the country.

https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/54243-uk-public-opinion-on-the-us-iran-conflict

Why would we share info about Iran with starmer? he’d probably tip them off to impress his Muslim masters in the uk

Did Trump or Hegseth inform NATO?

50 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Did Trump or Hegseth inform NATO?

Why should or would they ?
Its the same reason that ONLY the Gang of 8 we're told and that was only a short time before it started.

We have rats in the house

23 hours ago, ASEAN NOW News said:

The United States did not provide the United Kingdom with exact operational details

I’m sure Trump was aware of that information (exact operation details 🤔) could be shared with Iran.

2 hours ago, Pasak110 said:

on this one the polls suggest otherwise. Personally I am backing the Greens, about time we had some nutters running the country.

https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/54243-uk-public-opinion-on-the-us-iran-conflict

You forgot to mention this from the link...........................

So, it's the loony lefties and wet lettuce greens against the strikes.

Attitudes differ significantly by party, with the majority of Reform UK voters (58%) and a plurality of Tories (49%) backing the strikes, but the majority of Labour and Lib Dem voters (63-64%) and Greens (70%) opposed.

On 3/5/2026 at 10:42 AM, khaosokman said:

The Chinese are friends with ex Prime Ministers.

Also pals with manufacturers of red baseball caps. I think a Chinese spy recently got a Presidential pardon.

On 3/6/2026 at 1:41 AM, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Too funny indeed and scary.

What if the UK had been attacked? Both aircraft carriers out of commission, surely some one must have spotted the problem there?

The ships were built to have one always available while the other is in refit/maintenance (to avoid "carrier gaps"), but persistent mechanical issues (shafts, plus occasional fires/minor incidents) have meant both have spent significant time sidelined.

By early 2026, both are effectively out of action or in limited states (e.g., HMS Queen Elizabeth in dry dock for upgrades/repairs, HMS Prince of Wales alongside in Portsmouth for maintenance after 2025 ops).

The Prince of Wales is not "out of action".

Nice to see the muslim immigrants in the USA are not involved in the war. Fully expected then to be at one point.

13 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Nice to see the muslim immigrants in the USA are not involved in the war. Fully expected then to be at one point.

They're out in the streets celebrating and happy their relatives and friends back in Iran and elsewhere have a chance at peace and democracy now. The only problem are those against the US living in the US, as usual.

43 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Nice to see the muslim immigrants in the USA are not involved in the war. Fully expected then to be at one point.

Why do you assume Muslim immigrants in the US are not involved in the "war"?