London: UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated Sunday that Britain will not "outsource" its foreign policy decisions, responding to criticisms from US President Donald Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair regarding the government's stance on military actions involving Iran. Speaking on Sky News, Cooper emphasized the importance of making decisions based on national interests rather than simply echoing the positions of other nations.
According to Anadolu Agency, Cooper explained that the UK must focus on substance rather than social media commentary. She highlighted the necessity for the UK to independently determine what aligns with its national interests, even if it means diverging from US policies. While the US has its own interests to consider, Cooper argued that the UK must prioritize its own.
Her comments come in the wake of criticism from Trump, who expressed disapproval over UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's initial hesitation to support US-led airstrikes on Iran. Trump's social media posts suggested that the UK should have backed the US from the outset of its offensive and downplayed Britain's contribution.
Although Downing Street later consented to the limited use of British airbases for defensive strikes and deployed RAF jets to protect UK allies, the government's cautious approach has faced criticism, including from Blair. Blair contended that the UK should have supported the US earlier in the conflict.
In response to calls for closer alignment with US actions, Cooper referenced the Iraq war as a lesson in the importance of making sovereign decisions that prioritize British interests. She underscored the necessity of learning from past mistakes to inform current decision-making processes.
Cooper refrained from speculating on the duration of the conflict with Iran or confirming the deployment of UK warships to the region, citing the dynamic and uncertain nature of the situation. Tensions have escalated since the United States and Israel initiated a large-scale attack on Iran on Feb. 28, resulting in significant casualties, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls, and senior military officials.
In retaliation, Iran has launched extensive strikes targeting US bases, diplomatic facilities, and military personnel across the region, as well as multiple Israeli cities.
