Report: US and UK Finance Ministers Clash Over Iran War, Sparking Diplomatic Tensions
US and UK finance ministers reportedly had a heated argument over the Iran war, escalating tensions between the two nations. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves publicly criticized US intervention in Iran, leading President Trump to hint at retaliatory measures such as tearing up trade deals.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 11:27
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 11:31 (4 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 14:20 (2h 48m after Collected)
US-Iran War Key News
WASHINGTON (Central News Agency) — The Guardian, citing sources, reported that UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had a fierce face-to-face argument over the Iran war during a meeting in Washington in April, marking the latest sign of escalating tensions between the two countries.
Insiders revealed that the two clashed during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings, confirming an initial report by the Financial Times.
The dispute stemmed from Reeves' public criticism of the Iran conflict. Her remarks, made before the start of the meetings, drew strong backlash from some within the Trump administration.
Reeves' and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's criticisms are believed to have caused the most serious rift in US-UK relations in decades. In response, Trump threatened to tear up trade agreements and even hinted at recognizing Argentina's claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.
In an interview with the Mirror on April 14, Reeves stated that she was "very frustrated and angry about America's intervention in this war without a clear exit plan," calling the war "a foolish act."
She later visited the US and, in an interview with CNBC, said that the war's objectives were "never clear."
Reeves said at a forum: "I don't think this conflict has made the world safer... Over the past six weeks, the objectives of this conflict have not been clear."
According to attendees, Bessent reprimanded Reeves for these remarks during a face-to-face meeting on April 15, even mentioning the threat of a potential nuclear attack by Iran on the UK.
It is understood that his remarks were similar to those he made in a BBC interview the previous day, when he responded to concerns about the economic impact of the war by asking: "How much would global GDP be affected if a nuclear weapon hit London?"
Reeves responded that she was not Bessent's subordinate and was displeased with his tone.
A British official said: "Reeves' private views on the Iran war are as direct as her public stance."
Downing Street stated today that "the Chancellor and the US Treasury Secretary have a good relationship. They had constructive discussions after her visit to Washington."
The British government initially tried to maintain good relations with Trump, but Starmer's criticism of Trump's foreign policy has become increasingly outspoken recently.
At the European Political Community meeting in Armenia over the weekend, Starmer said: "We cannot deny that some of the alliances we have long relied on are no longer in an ideal state."
As transatlantic tensions rise, Trump has in recent weeks threatened to tear up existing trade agreements, impose new tariffs on UK digital services tax, and potentially recognize Argentina's control over the Falkland Islands.
However, after King Charles III and Queen Camilla's visit to the US, Trump's tone softened, and he announced the cancellation of tariffs on Scotch whisky. (Compiled by Hsu Rui-cheng) 1150506
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WASHINGTON (Central News Agency) — The Guardian, citing sources, reported that UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had a fierce face-to-face argument over the Iran war during a meeting in Washington in April, marking the latest sign of escalating tensions between the two countries.
Insiders revealed that the two clashed during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings, confirming an initial report by the Financial Times.
The dispute stemmed from Reeves' public criticism of the Iran conflict. Her remarks, made before the start of the meetings, drew strong backlash from some within the Trump administration.
Reeves' and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's criticisms are believed to have caused the most serious rift in US-UK relations in decades. In response, Trump threatened to tear up trade agreements and even hinted at recognizing Argentina's claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.
In an interview with the Mirror on April 14, Reeves stated that she was "very frustrated and angry about America's intervention in this war without a clear exit plan," calling the war "a foolish act."
She later visited the US and, in an interview with CNBC, said that the war's objectives were "never clear."
Reeves said at a forum: "I don't think this conflict has made the world safer... Over the past six weeks, the objectives of this conflict have not been clear."
According to attendees, Bessent reprimanded Reeves for these remarks during a face-to-face meeting on April 15, even mentioning the threat of a potential nuclear attack by Iran on the UK.
It is understood that his remarks were similar to those he made in a BBC interview the previous day, when he responded to concerns about the economic impact of the war by asking: "How much would global GDP be affected if a nuclear weapon hit London?"
Reeves responded that she was not Bessent's subordinate and was displeased with his tone.
A British official said: "Reeves' private views on the Iran war are as direct as her public stance."
Downing Street stated today that "the Chancellor and the US Treasury Secretary have a good relationship. They had constructive discussions after her visit to Washington."
The British government initially tried to maintain good relations with Trump, but Starmer's criticism of Trump's foreign policy has become increasingly outspoken recently.
At the European Political Community meeting in Armenia over the weekend, Starmer said: "We cannot deny that some of the alliances we have long relied on are no longer in an ideal state."
As transatlantic tensions rise, Trump has in recent weeks threatened to tear up existing trade agreements, impose new tariffs on UK digital services tax, and potentially recognize Argentina's control over the Falkland Islands.
However, after King Charles III and Queen Camilla's visit to the US, Trump's tone softened, and he announced the cancellation of tariffs on Scotch whisky. (Compiled by Hsu Rui-cheng) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.