UK does not 'agree with Trump on every issue' - Cooper
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has hit back at President Trump's criticism of the UK response to the conflict in Iran.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"It won't surprise you that we don't agree with President Trump on every issue."
— Yvette Cooper , Politician
"I just disagree."
— Yvette Cooper , Politician
"It’s for the US president to decide what he thinks is in the US national interest, and that’s for him to do. But it is our job as the UK government to decide what’s in the UK national interest, and that doesn’t mean simply agreeing with other countries or outsourcing our foreign policy to other countries."
— Yvette Cooper , Politician
"If they are your ally and they are an indispensable cornerstone for your security … you had better show up when they want you to."
— Tony Blair , Politician
"we would have a right to self-defence if the UK directly joined US-Israeli attacks on Iran."
— Seyed Ali Mousavi , Other
"We have to learn the lessons from Iraq."
— Yvette Cooper , Politician
"The relationship between Starmer and Trump is over."
— Donald Trump , Politician
"Many people I speak to in the US federal government no longer see the UK as a reliable ally and recognise that the UK is suffering from system failure."
— Andrew Hale , Academic
"I think the point is to make sure that actually we learn the lessons from some of the things that went wrong in Iraq."
— Yvette Cooper , Politician
"The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East."
— Donald Trump , Politician
"I don’t think either of those positions is in the UK national interest, and it is the responsibility for Keir Starmer to act in the UK’s national interest for British citizens."
— Yvette Cooper , Politician
"If they are your ally and they are an indispensable cornerstone for your security … you had better show up when they want you to."
— Tony Blair , Politician
"They need us. We need them. And Keir Starmer standing on a narrow legal point has ruined that relationship."
— Lord Richard Dannatt , Other
"Sir Keir Starmer was right to stand up for Britain's interests."
— Yvette Cooper , Politician
"We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!"
— Donald Trump , Politician
"If facilities or properties or bases are used against the Iranian nation, they would be considered legitimate targets."
— Seyed Ali Mousavi , Other
"It’s for the US president to decide what he thinks is in the US national interest, and that’s for him to do."
— Yvette Cooper , Politician
"There are people who think we should just unquestioningly do so, and that I just think is not in the UK’s national interest."
— Yvette Cooper , Politician
"I also think it is important to learn lessons from what went wrong in Iraq."
— Yvette Cooper , Politician
Key People
Andrew Hale is a leading trade expert at the Advancing American Freedom think tank.
Supreme Leader of Iran.
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Emily Thornberry is the chair of the foreign affairs select committee.
British Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.
Lord Richard Dannatt is a former head of the British Army.
Nigel Farage is a British politician known for his role in the UK Independence Party and his stance on Brexit.
The Iranian ambassador to the UK.
Leader of the Labour Party and Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras.
Sir Tony Blair is a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Yvette Cooper is a British Labour Party politician who has served in various ministerial roles.
Locations
Tags
All Coverage
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has hit back at President Trump's criticism of the UK response to the conflict in Iran.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper disagrees with Tony Blair's assertion that the UK should have supported Trump's initial airstrikes on Iran, emphasizing the need to learn from the Iraq war.
Yvette Cooper defends Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision not to immediately join US and Israeli strikes on Iran, stating the UK must learn from the Iraq war.
Yvette Cooper defends Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision not to immediately support US and Israeli strikes on Iran, emphasizing the importance of learning from the Iraq war.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defends his decision not to participate in the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, despite President Trump's criticism over the UK's lack of immediate support.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper supports Prime Minister Keir Starmer's stance on the Iran conflict, emphasizing the UK's right to act in its own national interest despite President Trump's criticism.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper asserts that the UK government will not 'outsource' its foreign policy, responding to President Trump's criticism over the UK's approach to the Iran conflict.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Trump threatens 'tremendous economic consequences' on any country helping Iran
It comes after a 60-day ceasefire expired on Monday, with no sign of a diplomatic or military off-ramp to the conflict.
August 20, 2026 at 12:52 AMUS could not verify Israeli warnings of Iran plots against Trump, sources say - Reuters
US could not verify Israeli warnings of Iran plots against Trump, sources say Reuters
August 13, 2026 at 10:52 PMSouth Korea minister says Trump appears to be pressuring Seoul over Iran, investment - Reuters
South Korea minister says Trump appears to be pressuring Seoul over Iran, investment Reuters
August 19, 2026 at 05:19 AMTrump threatens to bomb US ally Oman if it 'gets in the way' over Iran deal
Trump's threat on Oman, which has been holding its own talks with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, comes as a 60-day window for peace negotiations expires.
August 17, 2026 at 04:26 PMTrump says US to scale back military drills with South Korea after it stayed out of Iran war
Trump cites his "very good relationship" with North Korea's leader in deciding to downsize the exercises.
August 17, 2026 at 12:06 AMTrump says Iran should surrender, threatens to bomb Oman - Reuters
Trump says Iran should surrender, threatens to bomb Oman Reuters
August 17, 2026 at 02:46 PM