British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly backed NATO on Wednesday, pushing back against comments by President Donald Trump suggesting the United States could rethink its role in the alliance after the war with Iran ends.

Speaking to reporters at Downing Street, Starmer emphasized the alliance’s historic importance and the U.K.’s continued commitment to it. “NATO is the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen,” he said. “It has kept us safe for many decades, and we are fully committed to NATO.”

Starmer also made clear that he would not yield to outside demands, particularly regarding British involvement in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign. “Whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I’m going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions that I make,” he said. “That’s why I’ve been absolutely clear that this is not our war and we’re not going to get dragged into it.”

His remarks come as tensions have grown between Washington and several European governments over their reluctance to contribute military forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s supply passes.

In an interview with The Telegraph published Wednesday, Trump signaled deep skepticism about NATO’s value and left open the possibility of a policy shift once the Iran conflict subsides. He described U.S. membership in the alliance as “beyond reconsideration.”

“I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin knows that too, by the way,” Trump said, reinforcing similar remarks made a day earlier by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Trump also took aim directly at Starmer and the United Kingdom, criticizing Britain’s naval capabilities amid the current crisis in the Persian Gulf. “You don’t even have a navy. You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work,” he said, while adding that he would not dictate British defense decisions.

“He can do whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter,” Trump said. “All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof.”

Earlier this year, Starmer initially denied a U.S. request to use British bases for potential strikes on Tehran, citing legal concerns. He later reversed that position after Iran intensified its regional attacks, ultimately permitting U.S. operations from U.K. facilities targeting Iranian missile infrastructure threatening maritime traffic.

At the same time, Britain has increased its military presence in the region, sending additional personnel and air defense systems to reinforce Typhoon fighter jets already deployed in Qatar.

With relations between London and Washington under strain, Starmer indicated that Britain is looking more closely toward Europe for future cooperation. “It is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union,” he said.