UK-US Special Relationship ‘Finally Put To Bed’ Due To Iran War

Britain’s “special relationship” with the US has finally been put to bed by the Iran war, according to former UK government adviser.

Donald Trump has slammed Britain repeatedly over the last month over Keir Starmer’s reluctance to get involved in the Middle East conflict.

The president called British aircraft carriers “toys” and told the UK to “go get your own oil” from the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, as the Iranians continue to blockade the major shipping lane.

Trump’s secretary of defence Pete Hegseth also mocked the “big, bad Royal Navy” in a press conference this week.

Peter Ricketts, who was the British government’s first National Security adviser between 2010 and 2012, said the US’s criticism is proof there is not a particularly exceptional bond between the two countries.

He told Times Radio: “I think it should really put to bed finally, once and for all the idea of a special relationship.

“Honestly, we’ve never had a special relationship with Americans. You know, we’ve had a transactional relationship with them. that’s normally been quite a warm one.”

However, he did say that there is still plenty of “operational cooperation” between the UK and their American counterparts, despite this friction between leaders.

Ricketts said: “I do think, though, that the operational cooperation between the defence staffs and the intelligence staffs and the foreign policy people is still proceeding pretty much as it does, very professionally.

“If you look at the fact that the Americans are using British bases, that’s an example of cooperation. British planes are flying in the Gulf in defence of Gulf countries. So I think it’s like an iceberg at the top.

“Above the waves, it’s very, very choppy. Down below, out of sight, I think the operational cooperation goes on.”

Technology secretary Peter Kyle also insisted that Trump’s latest attacks had not embarrassed the government.

He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “You’re only humiliated if you allow yourself to be humiliated in the way that you act and respond.”

He insisted Starmer has acted with “dignity” throughout his time in office, taking a “cool, calm” approach towards the Trump administration.