Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged a negotiated settlement with Iran as the conflict in the Middle East continues, while defending his decision to block initial offensive strikes by the US and Israel. Starmer stated the UK is working to de-escalate the situation, contrasting with the US focus on regime change.
UK Position on Iran Conflict
Starmer defended his decision to block initial offensive strikes by the US and Israel over the weekend, stating he “stands by” his judgment and denying it had damaged the “special relationship” with the United States. He emphasized the longstanding British position that a negotiated settlement with Iran, where they relinquish nuclear ambitions, is the best path forward.
The prime minister insisted that all ministers on the national security council supported the UK’s position regarding the use of British bases, refuting reports of cabinet opposition. He confirmed the UK would deploy “military and diplomatic strength” to protect British citizens, including four additional Typhoon fighter jets to Cyprus on Thursday, alongside two anti-missile helicopters.
Evacuation Efforts and Regional Concerns
More than 4,000 people have returned to the UK on commercial flights from the UAE, with seven more flights scheduled for Thursday. The first government charter flight from Oman also took off Thursday, with additional flights planned. However, Starmer warned that evacuating the hundreds of thousands of Britons still in the region would be a “huge undertaking,” comparing it to a much larger operation than the evacuation from Afghanistan and stating it would not happen overnight.
Starmer has faced criticism from Gulf states and Cyprus for not doing enough to protect regional allies and British citizens from Iranian strikes, and has also been subject to personal attacks from former President Donald Trump. When asked about Trump’s suggestion that he had undermined bilateral relations, Starmer stated the “special relationship” is “in operation right now” at UK bases where forces are collaborating with their American counterparts.
Timeline of US Strike Request
Starmer clarified that no formal request from the US regarding strikes came in until Saturday afternoon. “Therefore on Friday, there was no concrete decision to be made,” he said. The decision on Sunday, he added, was a unanimous one among all ministers.
Defence Secretary John Healey was in Cyprus on Thursday. Starmer, having attended his second Cobra meeting about the conflict, insisted the UK would “maintain the shield” over British people and allies in the region.
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