Trump Criticizes UK Carriers and NATO in Iran Conflict

United States President Donald Trump criticized Britain's military capabilities and NATO allies on Thursday, describing the United Kingdom's aircraft carriers as "toys" compared to American vessels and expressing disappointment over their limited support in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Speaking at the start of a White House Cabinet meeting in Washington, Trump highlighted what he viewed as delayed assistance from the UK and other NATO members amid the war that began on February 28, 2026, when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran.

Trump recounted a conversation in which British officials offered to deploy aircraft carriers such as HMS Queen Elizabeth or HMS Prince of Wales, but only after the conflict concluded. "We had the UK say that we'll send our aircraft carriers, which aren't the best aircraft carriers by the way, they are toys compared to what we have," Trump said. "But we'll send our aircraft carrier when the war is over. I said, oh that's wonderful, thank you very much, don't bother. We don't need it." He extended his criticism to NATO as a whole, stating that the alliance had "done absolutely nothing" to aid the US efforts, despite its members now...