Sir Keir Starmer has urged Donald Trump to enter negotiations with Iran, even as the Islamic Republic continues launching missiles at British allies across the Middle East. The Prime Minister said it was his "strong view" that Washington and Tehran must pursue "de-escalation" through diplomatic channels. The "special relationship" has come under strain in recent days after Sir Keir previously refused to allow the US to use the base at Diego Garcia as a staging ground for strikes against Iran. At a Downing Street press conference on Thursday, the Prime Minister said: “The long-standing British position is that the best way forward for the region and the world is a negotiated settlement with Iran where they give up their nuclear ambitions. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say “That’s why I took the decision that the UK would not join the initial strikes on Iran by the US and Israel. "That decision was deliberate, it was in the national interest, and I stand by it.” However, the President has already said it is now "too late" to enter in to talks with Tehran. Speaking to the New York Post, Mr Trump expressed disappointment at Sir Keir's decision, saying: "He should be giving us, without question or hesitation, things like bases where we can use others. "We should certainly count on them. I was very surprised at Keir. Very disappointed." On Thursday, Mr Trump did not to deny reports that he had called Sir Keir a "loser", while reiterating that the Prime Minister was "not Winston Churchill". Sir Keir is facing mounting criticism over his handling of the crisis, with accusations that he has failed to adequately support British bases and regional allies. After Iranian drones struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on Sunday, Sir Keir came under fire after taking 72 hours to authorise the deployment of HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer. The vessel is currently undergoing welding repairs and is not expected to reach the island for another two weeks, significantly later than warships dispatched by France and Spain. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS First UK evacuation flight from Middle East lands at Stansted after 24-hour delay ‘Just a question of time!’ Donald Trump hints US may target Cuba after Iran war WATCH: Defence Secretary brushes off grilling on HMS Dragon deployment delay Defence Secretary John Healey has travelled to Cyprus for talks after the country's High Commissioner, Kyriacos Kouros, said his people had been "disappointed" by Britain's response. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of lacking a "backbone" following his call for negotiations. "This goes to show the kind of man we have as Prime Minister. Keir Starmer thinks 'being nice' is a military strategy and if Trump can just talk to Iran kindly, all the problems will go away," she told The Telegraph. Ms Badenoch added that Iran is "currently shooting at our soldiers, at our military bases, and at our allies" while carrying out attacks on British soil and illegally developing nuclear weapons. "Starmer needs to stop being a lawyer and start being a leader," she added. "If he had a backbone, he would be working with our allies, not giving them a lecture." Fears are rising that the conflict may see disorder on the streets of Britain, with a major pro-Tehran demonstration scheduled to take place in London on March 15. Organisers are expecting thousands to attend the annual Al Quds march and rally - an event linked to the Iranian regime. Opposition groups including Stop The Hate and Lion Guard of Iran have called for a "counter-demonstration on a scale never seen before". Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter