Starmer’s slow start in the war against Iran could leave UK playing catch-up

Prime minister's initial refusal to help US could constrain Britain's ability to protect its nationals in the Gulf and reassure allies

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Britain knew that the US was considering attacking Iran from the moment Donald Trump told protesters that help is coming" in the middle of January. It was obvious to the world that the White House was serious when the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group was sent to the Arabian Sea in late January.

But as Trump gradually built up his massive armada", reinforcing it with a second carrier strike group in mid-February, UK deployments were constrained and limited even though there was a recognition that it was likely allies and bases with British soldiers would be attacked in an Iranian retaliation.