President Donald Trump claimed King Charles III “agrees” that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon during a state banquet at the White House.
“We’re doing a little Middle East work right now… we’re doing very well,” Trump said Tuesday night, referencing the Iran war as he delivered his speech beside King Charles and Queen Camilla.
“We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever—Charles agrees with me, even more than I do—we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon, they know that,” he continued.
The remark risked drawing the King into the political row over the Iran war—the fallout of which has already notably splintered relations between Washington and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The King is not a spokesperson for the British government. As the U.K. head of state, he largely remains politically neutral.
Charles made no direct mention of the Iran war during his own speech at the state banquet.
When approached for comment Wednesday morning, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said of Trump’s remark: “The King is naturally mindful of his Government’s long-standing and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation.”
In Charles’ dinner speech, which came shortly after his address to Congress, he focused on the importance of cooperation between the U.K. and U.S.
“Tonight, we are here to renew an indispensable allowance which has long been a cornerstone of prosperity and security for both British and American citizens,” he said. “Our people have fought and fallen together, in defense of the values we cherish.”
The state visit has created an opportunity to repair the alliance between the two countries, which has come under great strain with Trump rebuking Starmerfor not actively getting involved in the Iran war.
In a show of the tide perhaps turning, Trump earlier on Tuesday said the Americans have “no closer friends than the British.”
Trump, a long-time admirer of the royal family, has also reiterated his praise of Charles throughout the visit. And the two shared many jovial moments during their exchanges at the state banquet.
“You recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German,” said Charles, seemingly referencing a remark Trump madeat Davos.
“Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French,” Charles quipped, earning a laugh from the room.
Despite the ease of exchanges, Charles had earlier illustrated the ways in which he seemingly strays from Trump on key issues.
During his Congress address, he championed NATO, encouraged the defense of Ukraine, and urged the rejection of isolationism.
Read More: King Charles Hails U.K.-U.S. Bond as ‘More Important’ Than Ever But Splits From Trump on Key Issues
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