Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there is a ‘risk of escalation’ both in the Middle East and ‘beyond the region’ – as he called for a return to diplomacy
Keir Starmer will chair an emergency COBRA meeting today after the US bombed sites in Iran leaving the Middle East on the brink.
It came as the PM said there is a “risk of escalation” both in the Middle East and “beyond the region” as he called for a return to diplomacy.
Mr Starmer said: “I want to reassure the British public that we’re doing everything we can to stabilise the situation, to de-escalate the situation and to get to a negotiated outcome.
“But I’m very clear in my own mind that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. That is the greatest threat to stability in the region.”
He said there was a “risk of escalation” adding: “That’s a risk to the region. It’s a risk beyond the region, and that’s why all our focus has been on de-escalating, getting people back around to negotiate what is a very real threat in relation to the nuclear programme.
“In relation to the UK, we were not involved in the attack. We were given due notice, as we would expect, as close allies to the US, and we have been moving assets to the region to make sure we’re in a position to protect our own interests, our personnel and our assets, and, of course, those of our allies.”
Overnight bunker-busting missiles were dropped from American B-2 stealth bombers, including on Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, which Donald Trump said had been “totally obliterated”.
The massive escalation in the Middle East conflict came just days after the US President said he would decide within two weeks whether the US would become involved.
Tehran has vowed to respond despite warnings from Mr Trump any retaliation by Iran would be met “with force far greater than what was witnessed” on Sunday morning.
In recent days Mr Starmer has been pushing world leaders to de-escalate to prevent an all-out war in the region. And just days ago he also suggested the US would not become involved militarily in the conflict between Israel and Iran.
In a statement on Sunday morning, Mr Starmer added: “Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.
“The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”
Defence Secretary John Healey added: “The US has taken action to alleviate the grave threat that Iran poses to global security. The UK did not participate in these strikes.
“The safety of UK personnel and bases is my top priority. Force protection is at its highest level and we deployed additional jets this week.”
It came as Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the American strikes in the early hours of Sunday were an “unforgivable violation of international law”.
“My country has been under attack, under aggression, and we have to respond, based on our legitimate right to self-defence,” he added.
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