Newslinks for Tuesday 3rd March 2026

Iran War 1) Trump says ‘I’m very disappointed in Starmer over Iran’, as war escalates

“Donald Trump told The Telegraph he was “very disappointed” in Sir Keir Starmer for blocking him from using Diego Garcia to carry out strikes on Iran. In an exclusive interview, the US president said that the Prime Minister’s initial refusal to let US forces use the Chagos Islands base was unlike anything that had “happened between our countries before”. Britain had denied the US permission to conduct strikes from bases such as Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford, citing international law. However, the Prime Minister relented on Sunday night and said he would allow the US access to Diego Garcia for “specific and limited defensive purposes”. Mr Trump said Sir Keir “took far too long” to change his mind.” – Daily Telegraph

• Trump renews his attack on Starmer and says he has ‘not been helpful’ – Daily Mail
• Dithering Starmer is pandering to Muslim voters, slams Trump – The Sun
• Israel launches ground invasion of Lebanon – Daily Telegraph
• The big one is coming soon, Trump warns Iran – The Times
• Israel launches fresh attacks on Tehran and Beirut – Guardian
• Trump says Iran war to last four to five weeks but could go ‘far longer’ – Guardian
• Stranded Britons start returning home from Gulf as flights resume – The Times
• Ban London march linked to Iranian regime, MPs demand – The Times
• The four men who could save or destroy Iran – Daily Telegraph
• Inside the plan to kill Ali Khamenei – FT
• Zaghari-Ratcliffe: I fear for Iran and my family – The Times

Comment

Iran War 2) Starmer refuses to retaliate for Iran’s drone blitz on RAF base in Cyprus

“Keir Starmer was last night refusing to strike back against Iran’s bombing blitz that targeted a British base. He ruled out retaliation for Sunday’s drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. One MP said it was in stark contrast to wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill, who called for “Action this day!”. It came as the PM faced a deepening rift with US President Donald Trump, after initially refusing to let his forces use our military bases to strike Iran. Sir Keir has since made a partial U-turn — allowing America to use the sites only for “defensive” action, citing the need to stick to international law. But he was still accused off being a “lawyer not a leader” while the Middle East exploded into all-out-war.” – The Sun

• Badenoch tears apart ‘scared’ Starmer in furious tirade over Iran – Daily Express

Comment

• Starmer refusing to contemplate retaliation for strikes by Iran is shameful – Editorial, The Sun

Iran War 3) US embassy attacked by suspected Iranian drones

“Suspected Iranian drones attacked the US embassy in Saudi Arabia overnight. The US mission in Riyadh was attacked by two drones early on Tuesday, causing a small fire, US and Saudi officials said. Witnesses described seeing smoke over the embassy and hearing loud explosions in the diplomatic quarter, home to foreign embassies in the Saudi capital. Saudi officials said that more than half a dozen drones were intercepted in Riyadh, including four targeting the diplomatic quarter, and the city of Al-Kharj. Donald Trump threatened retaliation for the drone attack, telling News Nation that “you’ll find out soon” what shape that would take. The US embassy issued shelter in place warnings for Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran, and limited non-essential travel to any military installations in the region.” – Daily Telegraph

• US embassy in Saudi blitzed – The Sun
• Trump promises swift retaliation for drone attack on US embassy – Daily Mail

Badenoch to ban public sector using diversity quotas when hiring

“Kemi Badenoch has promised to ban public bodies from using diversity quotas when hiring. The Conservative leader said there will be “no racial preferences” or “state-sponsored division” in the public sector under plans to strengthen integration in Britain. She also promised to teach schoolchildren to be proud to be British and end the “the promotion of multiculturalism” by teachers. In a speech setting out how she would aim to promote integration, Mrs Badenoch said Britain has become “too tolerant of those weaponising identity politics for their own gain”. She said: “We will end identity politics in the state, full stop. No racial preferences. Protected characteristics will not be used as criteria for hiring, promotion, admissions, or procurement.” – Daily Telegraph

>Yesterday:

Spring Statement: Reeves to water down minimum wage increase for young workers

“Rachel Reeves is poised to backtrack on another manifesto pledge to raise young people’s pay as her economic watchdog warns of rising joblessness and a sluggish economy. The Chancellor is expected to water down a promise to abolish what the Government has previously described as “discriminatory age bands” by scrapping the youth rate of the minimum wage, which has existed since the system was introduced in 1999. Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, is expected to write to the independent body that helps to set the wage floor in the coming weeks with a new mandate that paves the way for slower increases in pay rates for under-21s. It comes as Ms Reeves prepares to unveil a pared-back spring forecast where her independent tax-and-spending watchdog will warn of rising joblessness.” – Daily Telegraph

• Stronger UK public finances can withstand Iran war shock, Reeves to say – FT

Comment

>Today:

Green Party seizes second place in polls as Labour hits record low

“The Green Party has leapfrogged Labour and the Conservatives to second place in the polls behind Reform UK. A YouGov survey for The Times and Sky News found that support for the Greens was 21 per cent, up four points in the week since their historic by-election victory in Gorton & Denton. Labour had 16 per cent support, down two points on the previous week and its lowest polling score on record. The Conservatives are also down two points at 16 per cent, which is only the second time the party has recorded such a low rating. Nigel Farage’s Reform has dipped one point to 23 per cent, putting it only two points ahead of the Greens. The Liberal Democrats were unchanged on 14 per cent.” – The Times

>Today:

>Yesterday:

Other political news

• Ministers to ban violent and degrading pornography online – The Times
• Clinton: I don’t believe I was an Epstein ‘honeytrap’ victim – The Times

News in Brief