SIR Tony Blair has slapped down the PM for failing to support US President Donald Trump in the Iran War.
He reportedly told Sir Keir Starmer: “We should have backed America from the very beginning.”
Sir Tony made the extraordinary intervention in a move that will fuel Labour Party in-fighting and open wounds over his 2003 Iraq invasion.
The former PM told an event hosted by Jewish News: “I am not saying anything that I haven’t already said to the Government . . . I think we should have backed America from the very beginning.”
According to the Mail on Sunday, he added: “The American relationship matters. It matters particularly today. It’s not a question of whether it’s this president or that president.
“If they are your ally and they are an indispensable cornerstone for your security . . . you had better show up.”
His comments came as SAS war hero Chris Ryan warned that Sir Keir is putting Britain at risk with his response to the Iran War.
He said the Prime Minister is a “rabbit caught in the headlights” who is trying to appease the left-wing of his party.
Sir Keir should be standing with Mr Trump against Iran’s evil dictatorship, he added.
The former 22 SAS Staff Sergeant said: “The fact we have allowed the Iranians to bomb Cyprus is an absolute disgrace.
“Somebody needs to read Starmer’s palm and tell him to get a grip. We have to act now.”
Mr Ryan served on the 1991 Bravo Two Zero mission in which an SAS patrol was deployed into Iraq to destabilise Saddam Hussein’s war strategy.
He was the only one who managed to escape out of eight highly-trained operators involved.
Three died and four were captured.
He stressed the importance of Cyprus, where he landed after his escape, for British aircraft to refuel.
He said: “Starmer should have sent defence systems straight over there as soon as he knew it was kicking off.
“At some point, Cyprus will say, ‘We would not be bombed if you did not have that base on our island, so why don’t you just pack up and leave’.”
It comes as warship HMS Dragon is stuck in Portsmouth, with unions claiming that dockworkers only work nine to five.
Mr Ryan, 64, warned the UK was being put at risk: “Look at that ship. We ruled the world at one point. Now we are running away from everything.
“That ship should have already been under sail heading to the Middle East.”
The First Gulf War veteran told the PM to stand with the Americans, saying: “The regime in Iran is no friend of the British. You get your pants on and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Trump.
“He is Marmite, but we are talking about world affairs here.
“This is a golden opportunity to get stability in the Middle East.”
ALL IN THE PLANNING
By COL. AL CARNS, Armed Forces Minister
ANYONE who has spent time planning military operations learns two things quickly.
First — never send people into harm’s way unless the legal basis is clear. Second — have a plan.
Before the initial strikes in Iran, we ramped up defences in the region.
This included radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 jets and ground-based air defence.
Now, we are surging our defensive capabilities.
But we are also not losing sight of our commitments in Europe.
We are steadfast in our backing for Ukraine.
Our ability to do this work has been years in the making.
