Senator John Kennedy Addresses Starmer on Iran and the Chagos Islands
Washington, D.C. — In a fiery speech on the senate floor, Senator John Kennedy delivered a blistering critique of British prime minister Keir Starmer, accusing the Labour leader of withholding critical military support during recent U.S. operations in Iran and of misleading both the American public and NATO allies regarding the United Kingdom’s defense spending commitments.
The speech, delivered Tuesday, painted a picture of a strained, "special relationship", characterised by Kennedy as a partnership hampered by hesitation and, "sleight of hand", on military readiness.
"A Little Late" on Iran Support
At the heart of Kennedy’s critique was the recent U.S. military intervention in Iran. The Senator asserted that American intelligence had, "clearly, categorically, and unequivocally", determined that Iran had restarted its nuclear warhead program, producing between 200 and 600 ballistic missiles per month.
Kennedy stated that the U.S. felt compelled to act to prevent a destabilising proliferation of nuclear capabilities, despite a general reluctance to serve as the, "world's police".
However, he alleged that when the U.S. sought access to British military infrastructure for the operation, Prime Minister Starmer initially refused.
"When it came time for us to intervene, he said, 'You cannot use any United Kingdom air force base or military bases. None. Zero'", Kennedy said, specifically citing the strategic joint base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. "He specifically said you can't use Diego Garcia".
Kennedy claimed that once the conflict began to favour U.S. interests, Starmer reversed course and offered base access. "Now he says you can use our bases. Thank you very much. It's a little late. We don't need you", Kennedy remarked, further criticising the Prime Minister for offering advice to President Donald Trump on conducting the war, which Kennedy likened to, "seeking the advice of a nun about sex".
Defense Spending "Sleight of Hand"
Beyond the immediate conflict in Iran, Kennedy focused heavily on the United Kingdom’s long-term defense spending, referencing the, "Root and Branch", Strategic Defense Review released by Starmer last summer.
Kennedy initially expressed optimism regarding the review's headline figures: a pledge to increase defense spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and 3.5% by 2035. However, he accused the UK prime minister of deceptive accounting.
"The cash is back-loaded", Kennedy argued. "He didn't bother to tell the people of the United Kingdom or NATO, or the president. The cash is back-loaded. He's not going to even start spending the money, the real money, until the 2030s".
Kennedy warned that due to defense inflation and production delays, the actual purchasing power of the promised funds would be significantly reduced, estimating a gap of $24 billion to $32 billion less than promised. He also criticised the timeline for modernising the UK’s military, noting that the UK has approximately 140,000 active soldiers—a figure he noted is down 20% since 2012—and that plans for joint submarine development with Australia cannot wait until 2030.
The Diego Garcia Dispute
The Senator reserved his strongest language for the ongoing diplomatic dispute regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, specifically the strategic atoll of Diego Garcia.
The UK has been in negotiations with Mauritius to cede sovereignty over the islands, a move driven by international pressure and UN resolutions referencing the UK's colonial past. Kennedy vehemently opposes this transfer, arguing that Mauritius has no historical claim to the islands and that the move would effectively hand a critical strategic asset to China.
"Mauritius, of course, will welcome the Chinese", Kennedy said. "He might as well just hand the keys to China".
Kennedy urged President Trump to refuse any permission required for the transfer of the base, which serves as a vital refueling point for U.S. submarines in the Indian Ocean.
"For us to give away one of the few places in the Indian Ocean that we can actually refuel our submarines... would be unconscionable", Kennedy stated. "Tell Mr. Starmer no, Mr. President".
"The Last Person You Would Want"
Despite his sharp criticisms of the British government, Kennedy emphasised his affection for the British people, noting his time spent studying in the UK and describing the population as, "wonderful people", who, "deserve better".
He concluded his address with a challenge to the Prime Minister regarding the accuracy of his statements on defense funding.
"If I’m wrong, I hope the Prime Minister will respond. But if I’m right, shame on him", Kennedy said. "Shame on him for looking the good people of the United Kingdom in the eye... and lying".
The speech, delivered Tuesday, painted a picture of a strained, "special relationship", characterised by Kennedy as a partnership hampered by hesitation and, "sleight of hand", on military readiness.
"A Little Late" on Iran Support
At the heart of Kennedy’s critique was the recent U.S. military intervention in Iran. The Senator asserted that American intelligence had, "clearly, categorically, and unequivocally", determined that Iran had restarted its nuclear warhead program, producing between 200 and 600 ballistic missiles per month.
Kennedy stated that the U.S. felt compelled to act to prevent a destabilising proliferation of nuclear capabilities, despite a general reluctance to serve as the, "world's police".
However, he alleged that when the U.S. sought access to British military infrastructure for the operation, Prime Minister Starmer initially refused.
"When it came time for us to intervene, he said, 'You cannot use any United Kingdom air force base or military bases. None. Zero'", Kennedy said, specifically citing the strategic joint base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. "He specifically said you can't use Diego Garcia".
Kennedy claimed that once the conflict began to favour U.S. interests, Starmer reversed course and offered base access. "Now he says you can use our bases. Thank you very much. It's a little late. We don't need you", Kennedy remarked, further criticising the Prime Minister for offering advice to President Donald Trump on conducting the war, which Kennedy likened to, "seeking the advice of a nun about sex".
Defense Spending "Sleight of Hand"
Beyond the immediate conflict in Iran, Kennedy focused heavily on the United Kingdom’s long-term defense spending, referencing the, "Root and Branch", Strategic Defense Review released by Starmer last summer.
Kennedy initially expressed optimism regarding the review's headline figures: a pledge to increase defense spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and 3.5% by 2035. However, he accused the UK prime minister of deceptive accounting.
"The cash is back-loaded", Kennedy argued. "He didn't bother to tell the people of the United Kingdom or NATO, or the president. The cash is back-loaded. He's not going to even start spending the money, the real money, until the 2030s".
Kennedy warned that due to defense inflation and production delays, the actual purchasing power of the promised funds would be significantly reduced, estimating a gap of $24 billion to $32 billion less than promised. He also criticised the timeline for modernising the UK’s military, noting that the UK has approximately 140,000 active soldiers—a figure he noted is down 20% since 2012—and that plans for joint submarine development with Australia cannot wait until 2030.
The Diego Garcia Dispute
The Senator reserved his strongest language for the ongoing diplomatic dispute regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, specifically the strategic atoll of Diego Garcia.
The UK has been in negotiations with Mauritius to cede sovereignty over the islands, a move driven by international pressure and UN resolutions referencing the UK's colonial past. Kennedy vehemently opposes this transfer, arguing that Mauritius has no historical claim to the islands and that the move would effectively hand a critical strategic asset to China.
"Mauritius, of course, will welcome the Chinese", Kennedy said. "He might as well just hand the keys to China".
Kennedy urged President Trump to refuse any permission required for the transfer of the base, which serves as a vital refueling point for U.S. submarines in the Indian Ocean.
"For us to give away one of the few places in the Indian Ocean that we can actually refuel our submarines... would be unconscionable", Kennedy stated. "Tell Mr. Starmer no, Mr. President".
"The Last Person You Would Want"
Despite his sharp criticisms of the British government, Kennedy emphasised his affection for the British people, noting his time spent studying in the UK and describing the population as, "wonderful people", who, "deserve better".
He concluded his address with a challenge to the Prime Minister regarding the accuracy of his statements on defense funding.
"If I’m wrong, I hope the Prime Minister will respond. But if I’m right, shame on him", Kennedy said. "Shame on him for looking the good people of the United Kingdom in the eye... and lying".
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