To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to an online
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Donald Trump has insulted the UK’s aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, as ‘toys’.
The US president also lashed out at NATO for doing ‘absolutely nothing’ to assist the US within the Middle East conflict.
He continued: ‘Now all of them need to help. Once they’re annihilated, the opposite side is annihilated; they said, ‘we’d like to send ships’.
‘Actually made a press release, a few them, that ‘we wish to become involved when the war is over’. No, it’s presupposed to become involved with the war’s starting, and even before it begins.’
He referenced how the UK offered to send assistance weeks ago, adding: ‘They aren’t one of the best aircraft carriers by the way in which. They’re toys in comparison with what we’ve.
‘But ‘we’ll send our aircraft carrier when the war is over’. I said ‘oh that’s wonderful, thanks very much. Don’t hassle. We don’t need it’.’
Days ago, the British warship HMS Dragon arrived within the eastern Mediterranean and started its operations to support Cyprus, three weeks after an Iranian drone struck RAF Akrotiri on the island.
Navy forces rushed to arrange the ship for launch amid the escalating conflict within the Middle East, following criticism over a perceived lack of preparation.
The destroyer left Portsmouth on March 10 after undergoing a six-day refit, which might have taken six weeks under typical circumstances.
Ships from France, Greece and Italy have been involved within the protection of Cyprus while the British destroyer travelled there.
Britain has faced questions on its preparedness to guard its overseas bases after the drone attack and escalation of conflict within the Middle East.
Defence officials said increasingly fragile geopolitics with many various security threats made the situation complex and prevented the government from sending the ship any earlier.
US allies are struggling to avoid being drawn into the conflict, which has put global security, trade and travel in danger.
Speaking yesterday, Trump said Iran was ‘negotiating’ and ‘desires to make a deal so badly’ – a notion quickly dismissed by Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
He told Iranian state television: ‘We don’t plan on any negotiations’, and Tehran told the US through an intermediary that it should proceed defending itself.
Any talks between the US and Iran would face monumental challenges. Lots of Washington’s shifting objectives, particularly over Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, remain difficult to realize.
Get in contact with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: WWE icon Jesse Ventura demands Barron Trump enlists with a swipe at ‘draft-dodging’ dad
MORE: What’s alpha-gal syndrome? The disease which makes people allergic to beef and dairy
MORE: Iran War ‘could see UK grocery bills jump up by £340 a 12 months’