All posts tagged: UKUS

Why King Charles’ state visit is ‘crucial’ for the UK-US special relationship

Why King Charles’ state visit is ‘crucial’ for the UK-US special relationship

Published by Daniella Wilson

King Charles’ first state visit to the United States as monarch comes at a time when President Donald Trump has said the US-UK relationship has “been better”. And so it seems the monarchy’s soft power has never been more important. “The royal family’s brand of soft diplomacy has rarely been more crucial than at this precarious time for relations between the US and the UK,” HELLO!‘s royal contributor Tracy Schaverien said. “Donald Trump has made no secret of his disapproval of our Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, after his refusal to allow British forces to join the offensive action in Iran. “However it’s also no secret how much the President admires our royal family and the King has an important role to play in keeping the ‘special relationship’ between our countries on track. While protocol dictates that he can’t get involved in political debates, he is skilled at turning on the royal charm while remaining politically neutral.” WATCH: King Charles’ 3-word warning to Donald Trump A relationship in need of repair Days before King Charles and Queen …

Royal visit to Washington set against rising UK–US tensions : NPR

Royal visit to Washington set against rising UK–US tensions : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Britain’s King Charles, right, and U.S. President Donald Trump speak at a State Banquet in Windsor Castle, England, on day one of U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s second state visit to the UK, Sept. 17, 2025. Yui Mok/AP/Pool PA hide caption toggle caption Yui Mok/AP/Pool PA LONDON—When entertainer Bob Hope serenaded Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the White House in 1976, it captured a warmer chapter in U.S.–U.K. relations—set against the backdrop of America’s bicentennial and the presidency of Gerald Ford. Nearly five decades later, King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive in Washington on Monday for a state visit marking 250 years since the United States declared independence from Britain. The four day trip will include a state banquet at the White House hosted by President Trump, along with an address to Congress by the King. But this visit comes at a time of growing strain between the two allies, including disagreements over U.S. Israeli-led war in Iran. Still many hope the King’s visit could help ease tensions …

Starmer Compares Trump To Putin Amid UK-US Strains

Starmer Compares Trump To Putin Amid UK-US Strains

Published by Sam Flores

Keir Starmer has compared Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin in a new pointed attack. The prime minister has travelled to the Middle East to help negotiations around the US’s ceasefire with Iran, following weeks of economic turbulence caused by Trump’s attacks on the Middle Eastern country. Speaking to ITV News’ Robert Peston, Starmer said: “I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world and saying to families across the country, saying to businesses across the country: ‘We’ve just got to be, we’ve got to put up with being on the international market’.” Iran retaliated to the US and Israeli strikes by effectively closing the major shipping lane, the Strait of Hormuz. That caused international oil prices to soar, impacting the cost of living around the world – including in the UK – comparable to the chaos caused by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The …

Iran War Puts Idea Of UK-US 'Special Relationship To Bed', Ex-National Security Adviser Says

Iran War Puts Idea Of UK-US 'Special Relationship To Bed', Ex-National Security Adviser Says

Published by Sam Flores

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer look at each other as they shake hands during a press conference at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday Sept. 18, 2025.  Britain’s “special relationship” with the US has finally been put to bed by the Iran war, according to former UK government adviser. Donald Trump has slammed Britain repeatedly over the last month over Keir Starmer’s reluctance to get involved in the Middle East conflict. The president called British aircraft carriers “toys” and told the UK to “go get your own oil” from the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, as the Iranians continue to blockade the major shipping lane. Trump’s secretary of defence Pete Hegseth also mocked the “big, bad Royal Navy” in a press conference this week. Peter Ricketts, who was the British government’s first National Security adviser between 2010 and 2012, said the US’s criticism is proof there is not a particularly exceptional bond between the two countries. He told Times Radio: “I think it should really put to bed finally, once and …

Peter Mandelson’s resignation ‘slowed’ UK-US trade talks, says US ambassador – POLITICO

Peter Mandelson’s resignation ‘slowed’ UK-US trade talks, says US ambassador – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

While Stephens said the pact locks in “the lowest” tariffs of any U.S. trade partner, he called for the U.K. to move faster in wrapping up the next stage of talks. “No one shakes hands on a deal and then refuses to deliver the promised product. People agree on terms, then implement the deal to profit both their businesses,” Stephens told the British Chambers of Commerce Driving International Trade Conference. “We’re excited by these deals and we’re ready to act on them — we just want to see our partners showing that same urgency and commitment to delivery,” he added. The legal text of a pharmaceutical deal for the U.K. to spend more on cutting-edge drugs is still being nailed down, and the U.S. has yet to lift 25 percent duties on British steel. Britain is also pushing for tariff relief for Scotch whisky exports. Meanwhile progress on the Tech Prosperity Deal, agreed during Trump’s second state visit last September, was paused in December as the U.S. pushed London to honor the terms of the …

Iran missile attack on UK-US Diego Garcia military base raises fears London could be within striking distance

Iran missile attack on UK-US Diego Garcia military base raises fears London could be within striking distance

Published by Sam Flores

Iran launched two ballistic missiles at Britain’s Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean in a dramatic escalation of tensions, US officials have said. The missiles, fired towards the joint UK-US military facility in the Chagos Islands, both failed to hit their target. One is believed to have been intercepted by a US warship, while the other did not complete its flight. The strike marks the first time Tehran has deployed intermediate-range ballistic missiles in the conflict, weapons capable of travelling far greater distances, and signals a significant step up in the confrontation. Military analysts say the attempted strike on Diego Garcia, roughly 3,800km from Iran, could point to a longer-range capability than previously assessed. If confirmed, the strike would signal a capability that extends well beyond the Gulf, with Paris in range and London no longer comfortably out of reach. The attempted attack came as Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, issued a warning to the UK, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of “putting British lives at risk” by allowing US forces to operate from British …

Middle East war live: Iran targets UK-US military base Diego Garcia, US and Israel strike Natanz nuclear site

Middle East war live: Iran targets UK-US military base Diego Garcia, US and Israel strike Natanz nuclear site

Published by Sam Flores

21/03/2026 – 15:26 ‘Nothing but impunity afforded to Israel’: Lebanese front overlooked as strikes intensify Lebanon is the second front of the war in the Middle East. While there has been excellent reporting by domestic and foreign press, FRANCE 24’s media show Scoop asks why there hasn’t been more international coverage. There has been “nothing but impunity afforded to Israel” since the Gaza war, said Rania Khalek, a Lebanese-American journalist with BreakThrough News, adding that she feels terrorized as Israel continues to strike Lebanon. 21/03/2026 – 15:06 Iran conflict escalates as strikes signal wider regional risks As the Iran conflict enters its fourth week, strikes on nuclear sites and a reported attack on a US-UK base signal further escalation. With no clear exit in sight, fears are mounting of wider instability and humanitarian fallout. “The attack on Diego Garcia is an escalation… it’s a joint US-UK base, not just US territory – that in and of itself is definitely an escalation,” said Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project and senior adviser at the International Crisis …

Joint UK-US military base targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles | World | News

Joint UK-US military base targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles | World | News

Published by Sam Flores

Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, the joint military based situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing multiple US officials. Diego Garcia is one of two bases that the UK has authorised the US to utilise for defensive operations against Iranian missiles. Ensure our latest news headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. The US and Israel struck several crucial sites in Iran on February 28. Iran has responded by attacking targets across the Middle East, throwing the region into conflict. It is understood that neither of the missiles aimed at Diego Garcia struck the base. One of the missiles failed in flight, while a US warship launched an interceptor at the other, as reported by the WSJ. Whether an interception was made could not be confirmed, according to one official. The WSJ reported that this action signified Iran’s first operational …