UK's Starmer Announces Multi-Nation Hormuz Meeting, Defends NATO Against Trump

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain would host a multi-nation meeting of approximately 35 countries focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a diplomatic rather than military approach that contrasted with Trump's demand for military coalition contributions. Starmer dismissed Trump's threats as 'noise,' stating: 'Whatever the noise, I'm going to act in the British national interest.' Starmer also publicly defended NATO, calling it 'the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen,' after Trump branded the alliance a 'paper tiger.' The UK maintained its position of allowing US bombers to use British bases (Lakenheath, Fairford) only for defensive missions against Iranian targets, not offensive Iran operations. US News and Vanguard News both headlined Starmer's defense of the alliance as a direct counterpoint to Trump's 'paper tiger' characterization.