Exclusive: My chat with Trump about Iran war, Chagos Islands and 'disappointing' Starmer

For the new episode of Iran: The Latest (formerly Battle Lines), Venetia speaks to The Telegraph's US Correspondent Connor Stringer about his phone call with Donald Trump in the midst of the Iran war. Trump told Connor that he was "disappointed" that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially didn't allow the US to use the UK's Diego Garcia base on the Chagos Islands for the Iran attack. Connor also reflects on how optimistic Trump is sounding about the Middle East war, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's press conference yesterday, and the risk this conflict will split the MAGA base ahead of the midterm elections. Read Connor Stringer's exclusive chat with Trump: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/03/02/exclusive-trump-very-disappointed-in-starmer-over-iran/ Producer: Sophie O'Sullivan Executive Producer: Louisa Wells ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor Contact us with feedback or ideas: @venetiarainey @RolandOliphant