Trump and Burnham Meet at UNGA, Discuss Iran, West Bank and Chagos

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday for bilateral talks that ranged across Iran's nuclear programme, Middle East tensions and the future of the Chagos Islands.

Speaking after the meeting, Trump defended American military action against Iran, saying Washington had "literally stopped" Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He linked the campaign to oil prices, arguing that costs would ease once the conflict ended, and said Iran had been in contact with his administration. "I think that a settlement is going to be reached," he said, adding that the relationship was developing.

On the West Bank, Burnham defended Britain's decision to sanction Israeli settlement organisations. He said the move was taken with the Foreign Secretary and that a two-state solution must remain viable. Doing nothing, he argued, would further erode public trust in political commitments. He also condemned the Hamas attacks of 7 October and said antisemitism would be challenged wherever it appears. Trump described the condemnation as "very strong".

Trump was blunt in his opposition to the transfer of the Chagos Islands from the UK to Mauritius, calling the arrangement "terrible" and "ridiculous". He stressed the islands' strategic military importance, recalling that US B-2 bombers had to fly long distances from Missouri during strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities rather than operating from a closer base. He said he expected the prime minister to review the matter.

Despite differences on policy, both leaders emphasised the strength of the bilateral relationship. Asked about the state of US-UK ties, Trump said they were "more up now" than under Burnham's predecessor, citing his working relationship with the prime minister. "Right now, based on my relationship with your prime minister, Andy, I think we're doing very well," he said.