Trump Predicts Starmer’s Resignation, Blames UK PM’s Immigration, Energy Policies

United States President Donald Trump has sparked fresh political debate in Britain after predicting that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will eventually resign from office, citing what he described as failures in tackling two of the country’s most pressing challenges — immigration and energy policy.

Trump made the remarks in a post published on his Truth Social platform, where he criticised Starmer’s handling of border control and the British government’s approach to energy production.

“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He failed badly on two very important subjects – immigration and energy (open North Sea oil!). I wish him well!” Trump wrote.

The statement marks the latest in a series of public criticisms directed by the American president at the British leader and comes at a time when Starmer is facing growing political scrutiny at home.

Trump has repeatedly argued that Britain should increase oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, insisting that greater domestic energy production would strengthen the economy, improve energy security and reduce dependence on external energy sources.

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The US president has also been vocal in his criticism of policies aimed at accelerating the transition to renewable energy, warning that excessive reliance on green energy initiatives could weaken industrial competitiveness and drive up costs for consumers and businesses.

His latest comments reflect a broader disagreement between Washington and London over energy priorities. While the Starmer government has maintained its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions and expanding clean energy infrastructure, Trump has consistently advocated for increased fossil fuel production and energy independence.

The American leader’s intervention comes as political pressure continues to mount on the Labour government.

In recent weeks, reports from British media have pointed to increasing concerns within the ruling Labour Party over the government’s performance, electoral standing and long-term political direction.

Several ministers have reportedly stepped down from government positions in recent months, while growing calls have emerged from within Labour ranks for greater clarity regarding Starmer’s future leadership plans.

The pressure intensified following a strong by-election performance by Labour figure Andy Burnham, whose political success has fuelled speculation about possible leadership changes within the party.

Supporters of Burnham argue that his electoral appeal demonstrates an ability to reconnect with voters and challenge the growing influence of rival political movements, particularly Reform UK, which has continued to gain traction among disaffected voters.

Reports in the British press have suggested that some Labour lawmakers have privately encouraged discussions about a future leadership transition, while others have urged Starmer to provide assurances regarding his political intentions ahead of future elections.

Despite the speculation, there has been no official indication from Downing Street that the Prime Minister intends to resign.

Starmer has publicly maintained that he remains committed to leading the government and continuing the implementation of Labour’s policy agenda.

Political analysts note that Trump’s remarks are unusual because they go beyond criticism of government policy and directly predict the departure of a sitting foreign leader.

The comments have also reignited debate about the future of Britain’s energy strategy, immigration policies and the political challenges facing the Labour government as it seeks to maintain public support amid economic and social pressures.

Observers say the Prime Minister’s ability to manage internal party concerns, address voter dissatisfaction and deliver on key policy promises could prove crucial in determining the stability of his leadership in the months ahead.

For now, Starmer remains in office, but Trump’s intervention has added a new international dimension to an already intense political debate over the future direction of British politics.

As discussions over immigration, energy security and economic growth continue to dominate public discourse, the exchange between the two leaders is likely to remain a major talking point on both sides of the Atlantic.

Trump Predicts Starmer’s Resignation, Blames UK PM’s Immigration, Energy Policies

Trump Warns Iran: ‘Close Hormuz and You Won’t Have a Country’ as Geneva Talks Open

United States President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, demanding that Tehran immediately halt support for its proxies in Lebanon or face escalated military action. The threat comes as American and Iranian delegations engage in high-stakes negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, aimed at implementing a fragile peace framework signed earlier this month. “Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” .

The US president’s remarks appeared to target Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful regional ally, which has remained involved in clashes linked to ongoing tensions in southern Lebanon. The warning lands at a delicate moment for the peace process, as Vice President JD Vance leads the US delegation in talks focused on implementing a preliminary memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month. The memorandum includes provisions for a ceasefire in Lebanon, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and broader negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme. The talks, being mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, were originally scheduled for Friday but were postponed after Israeli military escalation in Lebanon disrupted the diplomatic timetable.

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Israel and Hezbollah have continued trading accusations of ceasefire violations, with Israeli strikes killing at least 20 people in Lebanon on Saturday, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported. Hezbollah accused Israel of committing hundreds of ceasefire violations and warned that continued attacks “will not pass without a response”. The renewed violence casts doubt on the durability of both the ceasefire and the broader US-Iran understanding that hinges in part on ending hostilities in Lebanon.

The situation was further complicated by Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as long as the Lebanon ceasefire is not respected. Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday that the waterway would also remain closed until waivers allowing the sale of Iranian oil were issued. The strait, a critical oil shipping route, was blockaded by Iran for much of the war, sending shockwaves through global energy markets. Trump has warned Iran against closing the strait, telling Fox News: “You close it, and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your f**ing country”. He also threatened that the US could take over the strait, saying, “We may take over the Strait, if we have to. I’ll blow the sht out of them”. Trump proposed that the United States could become the “Guardian Angel” of the Strait of Hormuz and take “20% of the oil” if Iran fails to reach a deal. “If they don’t make a deal, we’ll collect tolls,” he added.

Vance has expressed cautious optimism about the talks, saying Washington wanted Iran to play a positive role in efforts for peace while stressing that Trump was committed to seeing a full regional ceasefire. The US vice president praised Pakistan’s mediatory role, stating that Pakistan’s contribution had been appreciated around the world. He said the technical negotiations “may not solve every disagreement, but it will allow us to sit together as teams for the first time in history”. The Iran delegation in Geneva includes parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with central bank and oil officials. Qatari and Pakistani mediators are also taking part in the talks. Neither Israel, Hezbollah nor the Lebanese government are party to the talks in Switzerland. Allowing Iran to introduce the Israel-Hezbollah conflict into the negotiations marks a shift in US strategy. The preliminary agreement gives negotiators 60 days to reach a final deal, including on Iran’s nuclear programme, though officials acknowledge the timeline may be extended. Iranian officials have said Lebanon is the focal point for peace talks with the United States, and Tehran has insisted that Israeli attacks on Lebanon must end before substantive talks can resume.

Trump Warns Iran: ‘Close Hormuz and You Won’t Have a Country’ as Geneva Talks Open

US, Iran Launch High-Stakes Nuclear Talks as Tehran Threatens Global Oil Lifeline

A new round of negotiations over the Middle East war is set to kick off Sunday as Iranian negotiators and US Vice President JD Vance arrived in the Swiss host city, even as Tehran said it was closing the Strait of Hormuz again over Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The talks, scheduled to take place in the Swiss resort town of Burgenstock, are meant to open a two-month negotiation period on issues left unresolved by the initial accord, notably Iran’s nuclear programme. Pakistani and Qatari mediators are also expected to participate, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir traveling to Switzerland for the discussions. Mediator Pakistan confirmed that technical-level talks were scheduled for Sunday.

Before boarding his flight to Europe, Vance told reporters he hoped to “make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue. Those are the two big things that I think we’re going to be focused on”. US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already on the ground handling technical elements and had reported that “things are going well,” Vance said. However, Vance also acknowledged he could only stay for “a day or two,” raising questions about the depth of US engagement in the complex negotiations ahead.

Follow-up talks had been planned in Switzerland on Friday but were postponed at the last minute after Israel launched deadly strikes in Lebanon following the deaths of four of its soldiers in combat. Washington announced a renewed ceasefire there later Friday—a condition of its preliminary agreement with Iran—but Israeli troops clashed again with Hezbollah fighters on Saturday, with each side accusing the other of breaking the truce. An Israeli military official said the military had received updated directives from the political leadership to cease fire, adding that troops were operating defensively inside a security zone and were “not conducting proactive strikes”.

Citing a US “breach of contract” and “the Zionist regime’s continuous and relentless violation of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon,” Iran’s central military command announced that “the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic”. The Iranian military accused the US of violating the first clause of their 14-point memorandum of understanding, which agrees to “the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the strait closed on Saturday, with state-controlled media reporting the IRGC Navy warned all vessels to refrain from any movement until further notice.

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Hormuz, a key conduit for oil and gas shipments, was blockaded by Iran for much of the war, sending shockwaves through global energy markets. Tehran had agreed to reopen it under the preliminary accord signed by US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian, and shipping traffic had begun to recover. The agreement calls for toll-free travel during the 60-day negotiation period.

US Central Command strongly disputed Iran’s announcement, with spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins stating that “Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz” and that “traffic continues to flow”. The US military said 55 merchant ships transited the strait on Saturday with more than 17 million barrels of oil for global markets, and confirmed that US forces were monitoring the situation to ensure commercial traffic continued. Vance suggested that Iran may have been directing vessels away from naval mines, noting the memorandum includes a 30-day period for mine-clearing operations.

Trump later warned that Washington could impose its own tolls on Hormuz if negotiators failed to complete the deal within the 60-day window. “There would be no tolls unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that the money would be for “services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East”. The threat underscored the fragility of the agreement and the high stakes involved in the Switzerland negotiations.

An Iranian delegation arrived in Switzerland late Saturday, state media and the Swiss foreign ministry said. Iran’s official broadcaster reported that the delegation included parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with central bank and oil officials, reflecting the economic dimensions of the negotiations. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the delegation would “demand implementation of the other party’s commitments” under the deal, warning that “otherwise, the entire understanding will be in trouble”. Baqaei told state TV that negotiations toward a final agreement would begin once key commitments are upheld.

Israel and Hezbollah continued trading accusations Saturday as fighting persisted in southern Lebanon, threatening to derail the broader US-Iran agreement. The Israeli military said one soldier was killed in combat, the fifth such fatality since the US-Iran deal was reached. An Israeli military official said Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon overnight, prompting Israeli strikes on what the official described as “Hezbollah targets”. Lebanese state media reported Israeli air raids on around 20 locations, with authorities counting more than 30 dead. One of the deadliest strikes hit a three-storey residential building in the southern town of Barish, killing a father, mother and their two children, a local official said.

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Hezbollah accused Israel of carrying out “under the cover of the ceasefire… an infiltration attempt towards the Ali Taher hills,” a strategic feature overlooking Nabatieh, and said its fighters had responded “with appropriate weapons”. The Lebanese army said an Israeli strike killed a soldier on the Kfarrumman-Nabatieh road, and NNA reported that an airstrike destroyed the Nabatieh branch of Lebanon’s central bank. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said his group retained “the full right to confront this enemy when it attacks us” and warned that continued Israeli attacks “will not pass without a response”. A Hezbollah official told the BBC the group does not recognize the ceasefire that was announced by US officials on Friday and rejects the Israeli objective to operate freely inside Lebanon.

Israel’s US ambassador Yechiel Leiter maintained it was Hezbollah that broke the truce, saying Israel was “defending itself against terrorist attacks”. But Hezbollah said Israel bore “full responsibility” for the ongoing violence. The overall death toll from the fighting in Lebanon had surpassed 4,000, the health ministry said, while Israeli authorities report at least 32 soldiers and four civilians killed.

Fadi Zayat, who fled the southern Lebanon town of Tayr Debba, told AFP that “fear dominates” the south. “We returned to the village a few days ago, but our bags are ready to flee again,” the 53-year-old said. Many residents had returned to their villages after previous ceasefires and temporary truces, believing the worst of the fighting was behind them.

The preliminary memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, signed electronically by Presidents Trump and Pezeshkian, established a ceasefire, reopened the Strait of Hormuz, and launched a high-stakes 60-day negotiation period on the most divisive issue between the longtime adversaries: Tehran’s nuclear program. Under the agreement, Iran committed to “downblending” its stockpile of highly enriched uranium under IAEA supervision, which a senior US official called a “significant concession”. However, all technical details must still be ironed out in the negotiations.

The agreement also calls for the US to work “with regional partners to develop a definitive mutually agreed plan with at least USD $300 billion” for Iran’s reconstruction, though a senior US official said the deal does not commit the US to paying Iran a single cent. The text is opaque and appears to leave the door open for US payments as part of a negotiated settlement.

Experts have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of reaching a comprehensive nuclear deal in just 60 days, noting that the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action took more than 18 months to negotiate. Marc Finaud, a research fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, said the timeline “is realistic only if expectations remain modest and the goal is to return to something broadly resembling the JCPOA”. Critics have also questioned whether Trump envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, neither of whom had prior nuclear negotiation experience, can handle the technical complexity of the talks.

Vance has sought to defend the deal, telling Fox News that “if the Iranians are willing to change their ways and stop trying to build a nuclear weapon, stop trying to fund terrorism all over the Middle East, then we are willing to actually fundamentally transform our relationship with them”. He emphasized that “they’re agreeing right now to eliminate the enriched stockpile. And if they don’t get to a point where they agree to stop enriching, then they don’t get the other benefits of the bargain”. The agreement also leaves unresolved other issues of concern to Arab countries, Israel, Europe and the United States, including Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for militant proxies in the region.

The announcements and ongoing fighting indicated a rough start to the talks. Iran’s negotiators had canceled plans to attend the originally scheduled Friday talks because of escalating fighting in Lebanon, and it took a personal intervention by one of Pakistan’s top mediators, who flew to Tehran, to persuade Iranian negotiators to reconsider and travel to Switzerland. A Hezbollah official told The Associated Press that Iran informed the militant group that Tehran won’t reopen the strait until Israel announces publicly that it will comply with a “comprehensive ceasefire” in Lebanon and an end to military operations there. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah are signatories to the deal between the US and Iran, complicating enforcement and raising questions about whether the agreement can hold. US officials fear that continuing tensions between Israel and Lebanon could undermine the entire US peace deal with Iran.

The 60-day deadline can be extended by mutual agreement, suggesting both sides are aware of the challenges ahead. But as Vance himself acknowledged, the US will be watching actions, not words: “I don’t trust anything that anybody says. I trust what people do. And the way this deal is structured is that as they do more, they receive more. As they do less, they receive less”.

US, Iran Launch High-Stakes Nuclear Talks as Tehran Threatens Global Oil Lifeline