Wes Streeting has launched a blistering attack on Donald Trump, accusing him of saying some “incendiary, provocative, outrageous things on social media”
Wes Streeting has launched a blistering attack on Donald Trump, accusing him of saying some “incendiary, provocative, outrageous things on social media”.
UK ministers – including Keir Starmer – have increasing called out the US President over his comments during the Iran war, including his sweary tirade against Tehran and his calls for an end to Iranian civilisation
In strong words, Mr Streeting today said: “Over the course of the last week. President Trump has said some pretty, bold – in, yes, minister language – incendiary, provocative, outrageous things on social media.
“I think we’ve all come to learn that you judge President Trump through what he does, not just what he says. And ultimately, the only way in which we’re going to clear this situation up is to reach agreement with Iran, one that puts nuclear weapons beyond its ambitions and reach because we’ve chosen very clearly and I think, the right decision, not to join the war in Iran.
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“It’s not a war of our choosing. We’ve never been in any doubt about the nature of the Iranian regime and the threat that they pose to their allies in the region, to to our allies in the region, to the UK and our interests. So there’s no doubt about that. But what we do need to see is an agreement that brings an end to this war and also an end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.”
He added: “I don’t think it’s controversial to say that, you know, posting on social media, a threat to end the Iranian civilization is really – and let’s let’s use, yes, minister language – really quite extraordinary.”
Mr Streeting said UK-US interests are “intertwined” and that the partnership continues between the two countries, despite the conflict in the Middle East straining things.
He said: “The difference of agreement with Iran has undoubtedly strained things with the Trump administration. But on so many other things, our interests as the UK and the US are intertwined.
“We are old and close friends, and we’ve got a shared outlook as democratic countries and we’ve got shared security interests. So all of that work, all of that partnership continues to go on.
“And the point I’m making is you have to you have to distinguish between some of the rhetoric which people might find shocking and then the reality.”
Last week Mr Starmer called out Mr Trump’s comments. “Let me be really clear about this – they are not words I would use, ever use, because I come at this with our British values and principles,” he told ITV’s Talking Politics podcast.