Keir Starmer holds call with Donald Trump just hours after saying he was 'fed up' with US President

Fintan Starkey
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:32:51 +0000

Sir Keir Starmer has held a phone call with Donald Trump tonight, just hours after the Prime Minister said he was "fed up" with the US President and Vladimir Putin.

A Downing Street spokesman confirmed: "The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump from Qatar this evening.

"The Prime Minister set out his discussions with Gulf leaders and military planners in the region on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the UK's efforts to convene partners to agree a viable plan.

"They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution.

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"The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible. They agreed to speak again soon."

The call comes just hours after the Labour leader said he was "fed up" with Mr Trump and Mr Putin for the effects their actions have on UK families.

He said earlier on Thursday: "I'm fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world."

The Prime Minister has been travelling across the Middle East following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.

Sir Keir met with leaders in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Following the visits, he spoke to broadcasters following Israel's strikes on Lebanon.

He told reporters the strikes were "wrong".

When asked directly whether Israel was wrong to conduct strikes in Lebanon, Sir Keir responded unequivocally: "Yes, that shouldn't be happening. That should stop - that's my strong view".

The Prime Minister acknowledged uncertainty over whether the attacks constitute a breach of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, stating it was "hard to say" given limited access to the full details.

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"The question isn't a technical one of whether it's a breach of the agreement or not," Sir Keir said, arguing that Lebanon "should be included in a ceasefire".

The Prime Minister was emphatic that Britain would not participate in offensive military operations or become entangled in the wider conflict.

"I'm saying I've been really clear about the use of the bases for collective self-defence only and we are monitoring," he said.

He also addressed the critical question of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that vessels must be able to pass without facing charges.

"There are lots of things being said - they need to be tested.

"Our position is 'open' means open for safe navigation. That means toll-free navigation and vessels can get through," the Prime Minister stated.

"There's a relief that there is a ceasefire, I think a sense from them that it's fragile, that there's a lot of work to do on the ceasefire."

He also mentioned he would not echo the language Mr Trump has used in his recent posts on Truth Social.

Asked about Mr Trump’s use of expletives and phrases such as "praise be to Allah", Sir Keir said: "Let me be really clear and blunt about this.

"They’re not words I would use or would ever use because I come at this with our British values and principles foremost and uppermost in my mind."