'Stability Is A Priority': Keir Starmer Responds To Trump's Strikes On Iran

Keir Starmer called on Iran to “return to the negotiating table” after Donald Trump ordered strikes on the Middle Eastern country.

The US president unexpectedly attacked three of Iran’s nuclear facilities overnight, having previously given himself two weeks to decide whether to join Israel’s conflict with Iran.

In a three minute speech, he said: “Iran’s key nuclear facilities and been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. 

“If they do not, future attacks will be far greater – and a lot easier.”

Responding on X, Starmer wrote: “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.”

The prime minister previously urged the US president not to join Israel’s strikes against Iran.

His spokesperson told journalists just days ago:“The prime minister has been clear that his priority is de-escalation.”

The spokesman added: “Clearly de-escalation is the priority, and we would not want to see anything that ramps up the situation.

“That is our priority. We have been clear on that for a number of days now. De-escalation remains this government’s priority.”

Starmer chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee on Wednesday, during which discussions were held over whether the UK should allow the US to use the Diego Garcia base to launch strikes against Iran.

Asked about whether the government would give its approval to any request from the White House, the PM’s spokesman said: “I’m not going to get into hypothetical situations and I’m not going to speculate on future operations.

“But we continue to liaise with international partners as the prime minister has done for a number of days now and will continue to do so.”