FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announce an agreement between the two countries as they hold a press conference at Chequers at the conclusion of a state visit on September 18, 2025 in Aylesbury, Britain. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
(New York, NY) – As Operation Epic Fury now enters week two, the joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran have people wondering about the international order and the different alliances now taking shape. Western allies like Canada, Great Britain and France were quick to raise alarm over the surprise attacks last weekend. As the conflict continues, they have softened their opposition and have made moves to support American forces in the war.
Operation Epic Fury: Weekend Update
This weekend saw several developments in the conflict. First up on Saturday, the bodies of six US service members killed in an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait were transferred back home as part of a dignified ceremony. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance attended the somber event at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. While on Air Force One en route to the ceremony, President Trump refuted reports that the US was responsible for a deadly strike on an Iranian school shortly after the military operations began. Trump said that it was Iran responsible and War Secretary Pete Hegseth doubled down on the President’s claims saying the only side that targets civilians is Iran.
Meanwhile, in Iran there were reports of “toxic” black rain falling, saturated with oil. This coming after the Israeli army carried out extensive strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure. The Islamic Republic has also selected their new leader after the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. Iran’s Assembly of Experts named the former leader’s second son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader. Additionally, another US casualty was reported on Sunday bringing the total killed in action to seven.
North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer made a weekend appearance on the Cat’s Roundtable, where he highlighted how crucial it is that the US takes out Iran’s naval presence
Trump “Disappointed” In UK
President Trump, while addressing leaders of Latin America, expressed how he felt failed by an ally across the pond, Great Britain. He slammed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying Britain was joining the war effort a little too late after the US, according to Trump, “already won”. Trump said that while the UK was once possibly the “greatest” ally, the administration will “remember” their initial hesitation to mobilize forces in the Middle East. Starmer confirmed that while the UK was not directly involved in the strikes, they are “operating defensively” throughout the region.
Following the public display of disappointment, Starmer spoke with Trump over the phone on Sunday in an effort to patch up diplomatic relations. According to a Downing Street spokesperson, the leaders discussed military cooperation and the American use of Royal Air Force bases in the region. The former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, called out Starmer for hesitating and said the UK should have been a part of the initial strikes against Iran. Blair is a member of President Trump’s “board of peace”.
West Focused on Ukrainian Front
As the international focus shifts towards the Middle East, questions swirl on what this means for the conflict in eastern Europe between Russia and Ukraine. Western allies have been preoccupied the past four years, trying to support Ukrainian forces pushing back against a Russian invasion. Many international leaders expect the conflict in the Middle East essentially thins out the available support for Kyiv. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s stance on Iran has been clear calling the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei a “cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law.”
