Donald Trump has claimed his Iran war is “saving” Britain from a nuclear attack, as he again hit out at the UK for refusing to join the conflict.
In an interview with GB News, the US President also suggested he would not back Britain if Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, in retaliation for the UK’s stance on the war.
"I'm saving your country from the threat too," he said. "Because if Iran had a nuclear weapon, they're more likely to use it in Europe, where they do have missile capability, than they are in America, where they don't.
"I'm saving your country from a problem because they would use it.”
As the row over the sovereignty of the archipelago deepens, Mr Trump again hit out at what he sees as a failure to support his actions in Iran when asked if he would come to the aid of the UK.
“Your country was not there to help me,” he said, days after he said he was reviewing the United States’ position on British sovereignty over the islands.
The UK initially refused to take part in the US-Israeli offensive against Iran, when Sir Keir Starmer was prime minister.
Sir Keir later agreed to support “defensive” strikes against targets such as missile launchers, but did not back Mr Trump’s call to send the navy to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In response, President Trump repeatedly hit out at Sir Keir, branding him at one point “no Churchill”.
The conflict in the channel has created turbulence across global economies and caused a spike in petrol prices.
Mr Trump also used the same interview to reiterate his warning that the UK is heading for “disaster” unless it clamps down on immigration and changes its energy policy.
He said: “If you don't stop people pouring into your country from all over the world, you're not going to have a country left.”
“I mean, if you go through London, London's a much different place,” he said.
“You have a terrible mayor. He's a nasty guy, nasty person. He's a very bad mayor.”
But a source close to the London mayor told : “Sadiq is still living rent free in Trump's head. The guy is obsessed with him.
“Crime rates are down all across London, with violent crime lower than every major US city.
“London is a diverse, multi-cultural and thriving global city – the best city in the world. Trump just can't comprehend our success.”