The UK is facing a stern rebuke from Donald Trump over its stance on Iran, with the former US president urging Britain to "get its own oil" as fuel shortages worsen due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait, a critical waterway for global oil shipments, has been a source of tension between Iran and the West, with Iran's actions pushing up fuel prices and raising fears of shortages in countries like the UK.
The UK's Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has reaffirmed that Britain will not participate in any ground invasion of Iran, a stance that has drawn Trump's ire. In a post on Truth Social, Trump suggested that the UK should either buy jet fuel from the US or take action to secure its own oil supplies. He also took a swipe at Starmer's leadership, comparing him unfavorably to Winston Churchill.
The UK is under pressure to address its energy supply, with its last major jet fuel shipment from the Middle East expected within days. In response, Starmer will chair an emergency COBRA meeting to assess the economic implications of the crisis, including contingency plans for diesel, jet fuel, and fertiliser supplies.
The UK's diplomatic relations with the US remain intact, despite the heightened rhetoric, with plans for a UK state visit to the US still expected to proceed.
