PM Keir Starmer has said he has ‘grave concerns’ about Iran’s nuclear programme as he backed Israel’s right to self defence after it targeted Iran with strikes overnight
The Prime Minister has said he has “grave concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme as he backed Israel ’s right to self defence.
Keir Starmer urged “all parties to step back” after Israeli strikes targeted Iran on Friday Iran quickly sent a wave of drones toward Israel in response.
The PM called for tensions to be “urgently” reduced after the significant escalation in hostilities in the Middle East. Mr Starmer convened a Cobra meeting this afternoon to discuss the situation.
He also held a phone call with Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking about their conversation, a Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister was clear that Israel has a right to self-defence and set out the UK’s grave concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme. He reiterated the need for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution, in the interests of stability in the region.”
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The PM also spoke on the phone with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz following the developments.
“We’ve long held concerns, grave concerns, about Iran’s nuclear programme, and we absolutely recognise Israel’s right to self defence,” Mr Starmer told Bloomberg News after the call. “But I’m very concerned about the escalation of this situation, which is why, along with Germany and France, we’re really clear that de-escalation is what is needed here.”
The PM confirmed the UK did not take part in the strikes but declined to say whether Britain would help Israel if Iran attacks again, as it has before.
In a separate statement, the PM described the strikes as “concerning”, adding: “We urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate.”
Downing Street said, in their phone call, Mr Starmer and his French and German counterparts discussed “the long-held grave concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme, and called on all sides to refrain from further escalation that could further destabilize the region”. They agreed that “a diplomatic resolution, rather than military action, was the way forward”, No10 added.
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Elsewhere Downing Street said officials have urged Iran to keep nuclear talks going with US President Donald Trump. In a post on X, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said “we are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region”.
Mr Trump said he “gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal” and warned that Israel has “a lot of” US military equipment, and they “know how to use it”. “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left … JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,” he posted on Truth Social.
David Lammy said “this is a dangerous moment” as he voiced his concern over the strikes. “Stability in the Middle East is vital for global security. I’m concerned to see reports of strikes overnight,” the Foreign Secretary said.
“Further escalation is a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no one’s interest. This is a dangerous moment and I urge all parties to show restraint.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said “Iran is an enemy of the UK” and warned “warm words” would not stop the country. “If Israel sees Iran getting nuclear weapons, I don’t think it should sit back and put its feet up and say ‘Well, we’re de-escalating’”, she said.
“Because the person, the country, that will escalate is Iran, and that would be absolutely disastrous for the entire world.”
Relations with Israel have been strained in recent weeks as the UK Government takes a stronger stance against its condemned military action in Gaza. On Tuesday, the UK slapped sanctions on two Israeli government ministers for inciting violence against Palestinians.
Security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich will both face a travel ban and see their assets frozen. But it emerged earlier this week that the UK is involved in training the country’s military, the Israel Defense Forces, which is involved in the action in Gaza and also carried out the strikes on Iran.
In response to a written parliamentary question, armed forces minister Luke Pollard said: “As part of routine Defence engagement with Israel, the UK is currently training a limited number of Israel Defense Forces personnel on UK-based training courses.”
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