Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the United Kingdom (UK), Edward Davey, has said that the UK will not join the nations that will help the President of the US, Donald Trump, in his military plan.
This comes as the Switzerland also rejected two US military flyover requests on the ongoing war involving Iran.
However, three flight requests unrelated to Trump’s military plan were approved by Switzerland. The flights approved included a maintenance flight and two aircraft overflights.
In a statement released Saturday, March 15, 2026, the Swiss Federal Council said the decisions were made in accordance with Switzerland’s neutrality laws as fighting continues between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
According to Edward Davey, the UK will not allow Donald to push the UK into the war or offer any facilities to the war.
“Last week, Trump said he didn’t need Britain’s help because he’d already won this war. So, we mustn’t let him push the UK around now.” Davey stated.
In addition, Edward stated that the decision on the deployment of the armed forces in the UK should be made in the UK’s interest and be subject to a vote in parliament.
UK stance on Trump’s military plan
Donald Trump had earlier urged the UK and other countries to send ships to help the US secure a key oil shipping route out of the Middle East.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump appealed to the UK and other nations, including France, China, and Japan, to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect oil tankers from Iranian attacks.
“Many countries, especially those that are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending warships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the strait open and safe,” he wrote.
Trump’s message came a week after he said the US did not need the UK to send aircraft carriers to the region and accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of seeking to join after the victory.
He additionally criticized the UK prime minister for not joining the initial war against Iran and not allowing the US to use UK bases for a joint offensive with Israel.
The prime minister later approved defensive US action on Iranian missile sites from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Also Read: Blow to Trump as Country Rejects US Military Flyover Requests Tied to Iran War
Responding to Trump’s comments, the UK Ministry of Defence said it was discussing “a range of options to ensure the security of shipping in the region” with allies.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated that on March 12, 16 ships were reported to have been attacked in and around the strait since the war began on 28 February.
Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, has previously said he was willing to send warships to the Gulf only once the most intense phase of the conflict ends.
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs earlier Saturday denied claims that France was sending a carrier strike group to the Gulf, saying its naval posture remains defensive and that its aircraft carrier group remains in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Also Read: UK Warned of Escalation After Storm Shadow Missile Strike on Putin’s Military Plant
Switzerland’s stance on the Iran war
The Swiss government has expressed alarm over the conflict and called for de-escalation and respect for international law.
Earlier this week, Switzerland temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran due to security concerns as missile exchanges intensified across the region.
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said the move forced Swiss diplomatic staff, including Ambassador Olivier Bangerter, to leave the country.
Despite the closure, Switzerland said it will continue to serve as a communication channel between Washington and Tehran, in its longstanding role as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran.
