Trump blasts UK for 'finally' considering deploying aircraft carriers

US President Donald Trump has slammed the United Kingdom for "finally giving serious thought" to deploying aircraft carriers, hours after the British defence ministry said one of its carriers has been put on an increased state of readiness.

"The United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East," Trump said on Truth Social.

The president then addressed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly, threatening that the US will "remember" the move.

READ MORE: Oil storage plant blast in Tehran after Trump warns Iran will be hit 'very hard'

"That's OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don't need them any longer — But we will remember. We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!," Trump said.

Britain's defence ministry also announced earlier on Saturday that the US has started using British bases "for specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region".

Asked by reporters on Air Force One about the British government's offer of use of bases, Trump reiterated that the move it is too late.

"We don't need them. It's not the right time. It would have been nice to have had them two weeks ago," Trump said.

The aircraft carrier's state of readiness doesn't mean that the British government has decided to deploy the HMS Prince of Wales nor that the warship cannot be involved in other planned missions, CNN understands.

Starmer has sought to distinguish between the Americans' operations, and initially denied the US permission to use British bases for offensive strikes on Iran.

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