Nigel Farage has performed a striking Farage Iran U-turn, declaring that Britain should not join Donald Trump's war on Iran, just days after being snubbed by the US president at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

The Reform UK leader unveiled his revised position at a petrol station in Derbyshire, where he subsidised fuel for drivers as part of a stunt to promote his party's plan to cut fuel duty amid soaring prices triggered by the conflict.

Farage's new stance contrasts sharply with his rhetoric only a week ago. He had criticisedPrime Minister Keir Starmer's hesitance, calling it 'frankly pathetic' and insisting Britain must 'do all we can to support the US operation'.

Senior party members shared this view. Deputy leader Richard Tice said Reform would help 'in any way theysaw appropriate' if requested, while MP Andrea Jenkyns kept 'boots on the ground' open.

On X, Farage posted on 28 February: 'The Prime Minister needs to change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran!'

The Prime Minister needs to change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran!

The shift was swift: on 28 February, Farage prayed for the right outcome against the regime; on 1 March, he questioned the government's response to missiles near Cyprus; by 10 March, he called fornon-involvement.

The timing of Farage's pivot raises eyebrows, coming shortly after an unproductive visit to the US. He flew to Mar-a-Lago last week, intending to lobby Trump against Starmer's Chagos Islands agreement, which could allow Mauritius a say over theDiego Garciabase—critical amid the Iran conflict, given Mauritius's ceasefire calls.

However, Farage received no formal invitation from Trump and ended up dining as a guest of a club member. Trump shifted plans,staying at his Doral golf resortinstead, leaving no opportunity for a discussion.

This is not the first snub;in 2024, Farage was ignored after hurrying to Trump's side post-assassination attempt. The visit aimed to safeguard UK interests, but returned empty-handed, perhaps prompting a reassessment of aligning too closely with US foreign policy.

Source: International Business Times UK