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Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on the UK's military capabilities, describing its aircraft carriers as 'toys' compared to those of the US. Speaking at the White House, Trump claimed that the UK had offered to send two aircraft carriers to support US military actions against Iran, but he had rejected the offer, saying 'Don't bother, we don't need it.'The comments have sparked a fresh row between Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has refused to engage directly with the US president's repeated insults. Starmer has emphasized his focus on addressing the UK's domestic priorities, including the cost of living crisis, and has reiterated his commitment to defending British interests while avoiding escalation.Tensions between the US and UK have been rising over Nato's role in the conflict with Iran. Trump has expressed disappointment with Nato allies, accusing them of not doing enough to support the US. He also criticized Starmer for not providing sufficient support, saying 'He's not exactly Winston Churchill.'In response, Starmer has reaffirmed the UK's commitment to its Nato allies while emphasizing the need to address the threat posed by Russia. During a visit to Finland, Starmer warned of a 'war on two fronts' – Ukraine and Iran – and highlighted the importance of cooperation between Nato allies to counter these threats.The UK has deployed a warship, HMS Dragon, to the eastern Mediterranean in response to an Iranian-made missile launch from Lebanon at a UK RAF base in Cyprus. Officials are also considering deploying a Royal Navy vessel to support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies.

Alireza Tangsiri, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval commander killed in an Israeli airstrike, was a veteran hardliner with a reputation for fiery rhetoric. He had a deep understanding of the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that carries a fifth of the world’s oil and gas.Tangsiri was a prominent figure in the IRGC, having won his credentials during the Iran-Iraq war and rising through the ranks to become the commander of the IRGC’s maritime force in 2018. He was known for pioneering unconventional weapons that allowed Iran to project power in the Persian Gulf and beyond.The US Treasury sanctioned Tangsiri in 2019 and 2023, citing his role in overseeing the IRGC Navy’s testing of cruise missiles and his involvement with a company that developed armed drones. These weapons could potentially be used to maintain the current blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.Tangsiri was also a strong supporter of fast boats, which can threaten civilian shipping and evade modern warship defense systems. His recent statements had dared the US to launch a ground assault on Kharg Island, Iran’s principal hub for oil exports, and warned of the impact on oil prices.The Israeli airstrike that killed Tangsiri has been seen as a significant blow to the IRGC. The commander of US Central Command, Adm Brad Cooper, said the killing “makes the region safer.” Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, described the strike as a “message” to the IRGC, vowing to “hunt you down and eliminate you one by one.”

Oil prices are continuing to rise as markets see no end in sight to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The critical waterway, which usually transports about one-fifth of the global oil supply, has been brought to a standstill by Iran in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes on the country.Brent crude, the most important benchmark for global prices, rose as much as 3 percent on Sunday to top $106 a barrel, before easing slightly early on Monday to $104.63 a barrel, up nearly 1.5 percent. This represents a more than 40 percent increase in global oil prices since the start of the war.US President Donald Trump has called on other countries to help Washington reopen the Strait, but his proposal has received a muted response. None of the countries he appealed to by name – including China, Japan, France, and the UK – have publicly committed to deploying their navies to secure the strait. Japan and Australia have both stated they have no plans to send ships to the critical waterway.The closure of the strait has resulted in what the International Energy Agency has called the largest disruption to global energy supplies in history. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre, no more than five ships have passed through the strait each day since the start of the war, compared with a historical average of 138 daily transits. At least 16 commercial vessels have been attacked in the region since the war began on February 28.Trump has repeatedly stated he is willing to deploy the US Navy to escort commercial shipping through the strait if necessary. However, Trump administration officials have said that warships will not be deployed to the waterway until Tehran's military capacity has been further degraded.

The United Kingdom has strongly condemned 'reckless Iranian threats' after reports emerged of a missile launch targeting a joint US-UK military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. However, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied any involvement in the alleged missile launch.According to US media reports, two ballistic missiles were fired at the base, with one reportedly failing mid-flight and the other intercepted by a US warship. The incident occurred approximately 4,000km (2,500 miles) from Iran, raising concerns about Iran's missile capabilities.Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, described the missile launches as a 'false flag' operation, suggesting that Israel might have been behind them. This denial comes as the conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel continues to escalate.The UK has condemned the alleged attack, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stating that the UK would not be drawn into a wider conflict in the Middle East. The UK's Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, noted that the UK would not use a base in Cyprus for Iran-related operations.Israel's military chief, Eyal Zamir, claimed that Iran used 'a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000km' to target the US-UK base. Zamir stated that these missiles pose a threat to European capitals, including Berlin, Paris, and Rome.The incident has significant implications for the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with analysts suggesting that Iran's missile capabilities could change the calculus of the war for the US and its allies. The conflict has already led to a rise in global oil prices and increased tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently claimed that Iran possesses missiles with a range of approximately 4,000km, posing a threat to European cities, including London. This assertion comes after reports that Iran targeted the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands. The IDF stated that Iran's intentions to develop such long-range missiles pose a danger to numerous countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, the Iranian regime has denied these claims. Regarding the targeting of Diego Garcia, details are limited, but it is known that the island, located about 3,800km from Iran, was not under significant threat. A US warship shot down one missile, and the other reportedly failed in flight, landing 400 miles short of the island. The UK government has condemned the attack while stressing its different stance from the US and Israel on the conflict. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the government's support for defensive actions against Iranian threats. In response to Israel's warnings, Communities Secretary Steve Reed stated that the UK does not believe Iran has the capability or intent to attack Europe. He assured that the UK has the necessary military capability to defend itself. The UK is protected by Nato's ballistic missile defense (BMD) system, which includes Aegis Ashore sites in Poland and Romania. These systems are designed to detect, track, and intercept ballistic missiles in flight.