Iran LIVE: Donald Trump 'calls Keir Starmer a loser who has no future' as US President fumes over British inaction
President Donald Trump has called “Keir Starmer a loser who has no future” as he fumes over Britain’s inaction in the Middle East.
It is alleged that President Trump made his most scathing remark on the Prime Minister yet, amongst a conversation with friends.
The US President, who initiated an attack against Iran in a “joint operation” with Israel on Saturday, was apparently talking at a private dinner within the last two weeks when he landed his latest slight against Sir Keir.
A source, speaking to the Telegraph, said: “Trump has started calling Starmer a loser.”
The source continued by alleging that President Trump also remarked on how Sir Keir’s future in the office is non-existent.
This comes after Mr Trump said the Prime Minister was “not Winston Churchill” after the UK Government didn’t immediately back the US after they announced their "Mission Epic Fury” against Iran on the weekend.
Initially, Britain did not allow the US to carry out air strikes from RAF bases - apparently a decision that was spearheaded by Ed Miliband, Rachel Reeves and Yvette Cooper - but, Sir Keir relented by the end of the weekend, allowing America to utilise UK military assets for particular, constrained, defensive use.
Mr Miliband, the Energy Secretary, is reported to have raised strong objections to the planned US strikes during a National Security Council meeting on Friday, which had been convened to assess how the conflict might affect the UK’s energy supply.
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US 'bracing for conflict to go on for more than 100 days'
US Central Command has reportedly asked for additional military officers to be sent to its Florida headquarters to help support Operation Epic Fury for at least 100 days, according to Politico.
The Pentagon is said to have received the request, which would mark the first call for extra personnel since the conflict erupted on Saturday morning.
However, Donald Trump insisted on Tuesday that US military operations could last between four and five weeks.
Australia sends 'military assets' to Middle East, PM confirms
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed military assets have been sent to the Middle East to help repatriate Australians stranded in the region.
The mission, known as Operation Beech, is intended to assist an estimated 24,000 Australian nationals currently in the United Arab Emirates who are struggling to return home.
Two aircraft have so far been sent as part of the operation.
Despite the deployment, the Australian government has continued to urge citizens to take commercial flights where they remain available.
Mr Albanese thanked those taking part in the effort, saying: “I thank those Australians going into a dangerous situation in order to help their fellow Australians.”
Iran 'launches strikes' on Iraqi Kurds after ground offensive reports
Tehran has launched three missiles targeting the headquarters of Kurdish organisations in Iraqi Kurdistan, Iran’s state news agency IRNA has reported.
The strike follows reports on Wednesday evening that Kurdish groups based in Iraq were preparing for a ground offensive into the Islamic Republic's territory.
Iranian authorities have long accused Kurdish factions in the region of destabilising activity along the border, with previous cross-border operations targeting similar sites in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Earlier this week, reports suggested the CIA had been supplying weapons to Kurdish forces in an attempt to spark an uprising against the Islamic Republic's regime.
However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the claims on Wednesday.
While confirming that Donald Trump had spoken with Kurdish leaders about the American military base in northern Iraq, she rejected suggestions that any arms deal had been agreed.
"Any report suggesting that the president has agreed to any such plan is completely false and should not be written," Ms Leavitt said.
'Total s***show!' Chartered flight evacuating Britons from Oman fails to take off
The Government’s chartered flight to evacuate Britons from the Middle East has been rescheduled, according to reports.
The aircraft had been due to depart Muscat, Oman, at 11pm local time on Monday but failed to leave the runway and has now been delayed until later today.
One passenger due to leave on the flight described the situation as a “total s***show”.
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Ed Miliband 'spearheaded' Labour rebellion to US action in Iran after pushing 'pacifist' case
Ed Miliband is said to have spearheaded Labour's rebellion against US military action in Iran after reportedly pushing a “pacifist” case against Britain’s involvement.
Opposition to British participation in the conflict - including preventing the US from using RAF bases and the joint US-UK facility at Diego Garcia - was backed by Mr Miliband, Rachel Reeves and Yvette Cooper.
The Energy Secretary allegedly voiced strong objections to the impending US strikes during a National Security Council meeting on Friday, which had been called to discuss the potential impact of the conflict on Britain’s energy supply.
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Jerusalem rocked by blasts after residents warned of incoming attack
Jerusalem was rocked by a series of explosions on Thursday as Iran launched missile strikes on the city.
Sirens warning of incoming projectiles sounded three times in less than two hours, sending residents rushing to shelters as blasts echoed across the Israeli capital.
Israeli emergency services later confirmed that no one was injured in the attacks.
Authorities have since given the all-clear for residents to leave shelters, with officials reporting no significant damage to infrastructure or property.
RECAP: Rebels launch ground offensive in Iran after US 'hatches plan for covert uprising'
Thousands of Iraqi Kurdish rebels have launched a ground offensive in Iran, several US officials have claimed.
Fighters are said to have began taking positions within Iranian territory, according to Israeli network I24, who state they have moved in near the southern mountains in western Iran.
There had been reports that the CIA had been locked in negotiations with rebels to mount an offensive while the US and Israel continue with their aerial bombardment of Iran.
However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied Donald Trump had agreed to arm Kurdish forces.
“I can comment on the fact that the President has held many calls with partners, allies and leaders in the region, in the Middle East,” Ms Leavitt said.
Ms Leavitt did confirm, though, that the US President had held discussions with Kurdish leaders ahead of tonight's onslaught.
She added: “He did speak to Kurdish leaders with respect to our base that we have in northern Iraq.
"But as for any report suggesting that the president has agreed to any such plan is completely false and should not be written.”
However, Fox News was told that rebels had entered Iran after CNN reported the CIA was "advancing a covert plan to arm Iranian Kurdish forces".
It comes as Hezbollah vowed not to surrender "no matter the sacrifices" after the death of the Ayatollah.
Despite Lebanese president Joseph Aoun announcing a ban on military activity, Naim Qassem, the head of Iranian proxy force, said: "We are facing aggression... our choice is to confront it until the ultimate sacrifice, and we will not surrender."
US deploys cutting-edge laser weapons to halt Islamic Republic missiles
The US has deployed an array of cutting-edge weapons in Operation Epic Fury in a bid to halt Iran's missiles and drones from hitting their targets.
Among the systems in use is the High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) mounted on a US Navy destroyer stationed off the Iranian coast.
Footage released by US Central Command shows the laser weapon directing an "intense, tightly focused beam" of energy to destroy drones.
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Pentagon identifies latest US troops killed in conflict

The Pentagon has named the final two US service members killed in a suspected Iranian drone attack on a military command centre in Kuwait on Sunday.
Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan, 54, and Major Jeffrey O'Brien, 45, were confirmed as the remaining victims among the six soldiers killed in the strike.
The US Department of War said Officer Marzan was "believed to be the individual who perished at the scene" of the attack.
A medical examiner is expected to provide formal confirmation of the identifications.
The drone strike targeted American personnel stationed at the Kuwait facility.
Qatar orders evacuation near US embassy as 'precautionary measure'
Qatari authorities have ordered the evacuation of residents living near the US embassy in Doha as a "precautionary measure", the country’s interior ministry has announced.
A statement from the department said: "Suitable accommodation has been provided for them as part of necessary preventive measures."
UAE threatens to JAIL influencers who post 'misinformation' about Iran war
Content creators in Dubai have been warned they could face jail or hefty fines for posting "misinformation" about the ongoing Iran conflict.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities said any content deemed harmful to "public order", "national unity" or the country's reputation could result in severe penalties, including prison sentences and fines of up to $77,000 (£58,000).
One lifestyle influencer with millions of Instagram followers told The Telegraph she deleted footage of burning debris filmed outside her flat after an Iranian missile was intercepted overhead on Saturday.
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Oil spills into sea off Kuwait after tanker explosion
Crew aboard an oil tanker off the coast of Kuwait reported an explosion on the side of their vessel before a small craft was seen leaving the area, the UK Maritime Trade Operations said.
The maritime monitoring agency said oil had begun leaking into the sea, raising concerns about potential environmental damage.
It added that water had also started flooding into the vessel.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, though all crew members are reported to be safe.
Islamic Republic launches drone attack on Amazon data centre in Bahrain
Iranian state media has reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched a drone strike on an Amazon data centre in Bahrain.
Fars News Agency said the attack was carried out to assess the facility’s capability to store military and intelligence data belonging to Western adversaries.
Amazon Web Services said the strike caused “physical impacts to our infrastructure" at the site.
It added: “These strikes have caused structural damage, disrupted power delivery to our infrastructure, and in some cases required fire suppression activities that resulted in additional water damage."
Two Amazon facilities in the UAE have also reportedly come under fire from Iranian drones.
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