Keir Starmer has signalled a sharp diplomatic shift: Britain and its allies are distancing themselves from Donald Trump as the US president struggles to build international backing for his escalating confrontation with Iran. At a Downing Street briefing on Monday, the prime minister outlined efforts to stabilise the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz — the vital oil corridor now choked by Iranian attacks and military threats. But Trump’s name was never mentioned. Instead, Starmer repeatedly stressed cooperation with European partners and warned Britain would not be “drawn into the wider war”. When asked about Trump’s claim that failure to help reopen Hormuz would be “very bad for the future” of NATO, the prime minister drew a clear line. “Let me be clear,” he said. “That won’t be, and it was never envisioned to be, a NATO mission.” Allies push back against Washington The response reflects a broader chill toward Washington across Western capitals. Trump has publicly urged allies to deploy warships to escort tankers through Hormuz. So far, the answer has largely been no. According to Reuters, Japan, Australia and Italy have declined requests to contribute vessels, while France and South Korea say they are still reviewing options. The bluntest rejection came from Germany. Defence minister Boris Pistorius dismissed the idea that Europe’s modest fleets could solve a crisis the powerful US Navy has yet to contain. “What does Donald Trump expect from a handful of European frigates?” he asked. “This is not our war. We didn’t start it.” Cold shoulder after months of tensions The diplomatic frost follows months of turbulence between Washington and its allies, including Trump’s earlier threats over Greenland, a sovereign territory of Denmark and a member of NATO. European leaders now appear determined to avoid being pulled into another unpredictable White House strategy. Starmer, who met Canadian prime minister Mark Carney shortly before the briefing, framed Britain’s role narrowly: contain the crisis, protect shipping, and avoid escalation. For Trump, the message from allies is increasingly clear. They may help manage the fallout from the Iran crisis — but they are not lining up to fight his war. Starmer’s new stance shows the world is giving Trump the cold shoulder on Iran
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