diplomacyWednesday, April 29, 2026event Apr 288 sources

Trump Claims King Charles Supports Ban on Iran's Nuclear Weapons

US President Donald Trump asserted at a White House state dinner that King Charles III agrees with him that Iran should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. The claim came during a four-day visit by the British monarch and Queen Camilla, amid heightened tensions over the US-Israeli war with Iran. Despite Trump's remarks, there is no indication that King Charles has publicly endorsed the US stance.

At the state dinner on April 28, 2026, Trump stated that King Charles III 'agrees with me even more than I do' that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon. He also claimed Iran had been 'militarily defeated' during the conflict. The event was attended by notable figures including Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, and Rory McIlroy. Trump praised King Charles's speech to Congress, which emphasized shared democratic values and the importance of checks and balances. King Charles III, in his speech, highlighted the importance of international alliances like NATO and called for continued support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. He did not directly address the Iran war, focusing instead on strengthening transatlantic ties and promoting global cooperation. The British monarch's remarks contrasted with Trump's more confrontational stance on the issue. While Trump's claim about King Charles's support for a nuclear ban was widely reported, no official statement from the British monarchy confirmed or denied the assertion. The event took place amid heightened tensions, with Trump criticizing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his stance on the Iran war.

Timelines

Sources

IndependentThe GuardianApr 29, 11:48 AM
King Charles ‘agrees with me’ on Iran nuclear weapon ban, says Trump

Remarks by US president likely to cause embarrassment for aides of UK monarch, who usually remains neutral Donald Trump has insisted King Charles agrees with him that Iran should never be allowed nuclear weapons. Trump made the remarks at a White House state dinner on Tuesday in honour of the visiting Charles and Camilla, after the two men sat down to bilateral talks earlier that day. Continue reading...

IndependentDawnApr 29, 08:00 AM
King Charles, Trump toast ties despite Iran tensions

Britain’s King Charles and Donald Trump hailed their countries’ longstanding ties at a White House state dinner Tuesday – despite the US president claiming the monarch agreed with him on Iran’s nuclear weapons. Over a lavish meal, Charles echoed the tone of his earlier speech to Congress in which he urged London and Washington to stick together, without directly mentioning the tensions over the US-Israeli war with Tehran. But in his toast to a gala dinner attended by tech titans and golfer Rory McIlroy, Trump made his first public comments on the sensitive topic during the four-day visit by the British royals. US President Donald Trump and Britain’s King Charles III raise a toast during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. — AFP “We have militarily defeated that particular opponent,” Trump said at the White House dinner. “Charles agrees with me even more than I do — we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.” Trump has repeatedly lambasted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his opposition to the Iran war, and there is no indication that King Charles has shown support for the US leader’s stance. Nevertheless, both leaders strongly praised the “special relationship” between Britain and Washington, putting aside, however briefly, the transatlantic tensions. In his toast, Charles said he was “here to renew an indispensable alliance which has long been a cornerstone of prosperity and security.” Yet Charles pointedly mentioned the importance of international alliances like NATO that Trump has repeatedly disparaged – and called for continued support for Ukraine as it battles Russia’s invasion. “Together, we can meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and contested world,” he added. Star guests The menu for the lavish dinner included a garden vegetable veloute, spring herbed ravioli and Dover sole meuniere, followed by a White House honey and vanilla bean cremeux. Invited guests included Apple boss Tim Cook, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, and two-time Masters-winning golfer Rory McIlroy, who was born in Northern Ireland. Trump also hailed Charles’s “fantastic” speech to Congress, adding: “He got the Democrats to stand — I’ve never been able to do that.” Guests chat during a State Dinner with US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2026. — AFP The king received a warm reception from lawmakers in Congress as he urged the United States on Tuesday to stand firm with its Western allies, and broached topics like the environment that Trump often scorns. Charles stressed that “unyielding resolve” was needed to secure a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, which has been fighting a full-scale invasion by Russia since 2022. ‘No closer friends’ In just the second speech to Congress by a British monarch following his mother, Elizabeth II, in 1991, Charles also pointed to shared democratic traditions that opponents have accused Trump of undermining. He noted that the British Magna Carta had been cited in more than 160 US Supreme Court cases, highlighting— to rapt applause from the opposition Democrats — the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances. Trump earlier hailed Britain as America’s closest ally as he welcomed Charles and Queen Camilla to the White House with pomp, ceremony, a 21-gun salute and a flypast. “In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British,” Trump said. The visit comes at a delicate moment, with Trump criticising Britain over its stance on Iran and other policies. Despite the tensions, the US president struck a jovial tone, joking about his Scottish-born mother having “a crush on Charles” and making a jibe about the British weather. Security has been tight during the visit following an alleged assassination attempt against Trump at a weekend Washington media gala. “Such acts of violence will never succeed,” Charles said. The royals will visit New York on Wednesday, touring the 9/11 memorial, before departing Thursday for Bermuda.

IndependentMiddle East EyeApr 29, 07:39 AM
Trump says King Charles backs stance on Iran nuclear issue - Middle East Eye

Trump says King Charles backs stance on Iran nuclear issue  Middle East Eye

IndependentThe HinduApr 29, 07:06 AM
Israel-Iran war LIVE: Trump says King Charles does not want Iran to have nuclear weapon

"We're doing a little Middle East work right now and we're doing very well," U.S. President Donald Trump said ​at the White House state dinner for Britain's King Charles

IndependentThe HinduApr 29, 07:04 AM
Trump says King Charles does not want Iran to have nuclear weapon

The event was held on the second ‌day of a four-day visit to the United States at a tense time in ties, ‌after Mr. Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister ‌Keir ⁠Starmer for what Mr. Trump calls lack of ⁠help in prosecuting the Iran war

PublicDeutsche WelleApr 29, 07:04 AM
Trump says King Charles agrees Iran cannot have nuclear bomb

During a state dinner at the White House, US President Donald Trump said that Britain's King Charles III had agreed that Iran could not possess nuclear weapons. Trump also said that Iran had been "militarily defeated."

IndependentStraits TimesApr 29, 06:28 AM
Trump says King Charles does not want Iran to have nuclear weapon - The Straits Times

Trump says King Charles does not want Iran to have nuclear weapon  The Straits Times

WireReutersApr 29, 06:23 AM
Trump says King Charles does not want Iran to have nuclear weapon - Reuters

Trump says King Charles does not want Iran to have nuclear weapon  Reuters