Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged Iran to return to negotiations following a series of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning of a “very real” risk of escalation across the Middle East and beyond.
Speaking after a call with U.S. President Donald Trump, Starmer stressed the need for diplomacy and de-escalation, describing the strikes as a turning point in efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Downing Street confirmed that the Prime Minister had been briefed in advance of the attacks.
“We’re doing everything we can to stabilise the situation,” Sir Keir said from his Chequers country retreat. “All our focus has been on de-escalating, getting people back to negotiate what is a very real threat in relation to the nuclear programme.”
Emergency Talks and Diplomatic Push
Sir Keir chaired an emergency COBRA meeting on Sunday and spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In a joint statement, the three leaders called on Iran to avoid “any further action that could destabilise the region.”
“We will continue our joint diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions and ensure the conflict does not intensify and spread further,” they said.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy also confirmed he had spoken with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts, calling for a “diplomatic, negotiated solution” to end the crisis.
U.S. Strikes and Fallout
The United States launched coordinated strikes on Saturday night against three nuclear sites in Iran, Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo, in what U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed “devastated the Iranian nuclear programme.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the attacks as “outrageous” and warned of “everlasting consequences.” While Tehran has yet to formally retaliate, Iranian officials say they are weighing the “quantity and quality” of their response.
B-2 stealth bombers flew directly from a U.S. airbase in Missouri to carry out the mission. The UK-US base on Diego Garcia was not used.
President Trump hailed the operation as a “spectacular military success,” warning Tehran that failure to pursue peace would result in “far greater” consequences.
Heightened Alert for British Forces
A UK defence source confirmed that British military personnel in the Middle East have been placed on the highest state of alert. The Prime Minister said assets had already been moved to the region to protect British interests, personnel, and allies.
“We’ve been very clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Starmer said. “Stability in the region is the priority.”
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds echoed that message, telling the BBC:
“Iran is a threat to this country, not in an abstract or speculative way. No responsible British government would ever allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons.”
Though Reynolds stopped short of endorsing the U.S. strikes, he acknowledged:
“Iran didn’t listen to the diplomatic calls for a peaceful solution. That was a mistake.”
MI5: Iran Behind 20 UK-Based Plots
Concerns over Iran’s threat to British security are not new. In October, MI5 Director General Ken McCallum revealed the UK intelligence service had disrupted 20 Iranian-linked plots since 2022, many posing “potentially lethal threats” to UK citizens.
IAEA: Enough Uranium for Nine Bombs
While Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently reported that Tehran has enriched enough uranium to potentially produce nine nuclear weapons, a level it described as “a source of legitimate concern.”
Iran’s ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, told the BBC there was “no intention” to initiate military conflict. However, he did not rule out a response, stating Tehran was still assessing how to react.
G7 Warning and Commercial Fallout
Sir Keir had previously pressed President Trump for restraint during a meeting at last week’s G7 summit in Canada, stating there was “nothing” to indicate imminent U.S. action.
Now, airlines are adjusting flight plans amid rising regional instability. British Airways announced it is pausing services to Dubai and Doha, citing the need to protect passengers and staff. Affected customers have been offered alternative bookings or travel credits up to 6 July.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has issued a warning against all travel to Iran, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and is organising a charter flight from Tel Aviv to evacuate vulnerable British nationals, if Israeli airspace reopens.
International Reactions
UN Secretary General António Guterres described the strikes as a “dangerous escalation,” while Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Iran’s nuclear programme had been “substantially” hit, though he was not notified in advance.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch praised the U.S. action as “decisive,” while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey emphasised the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution.
What Happens Next?
With British troops on high alert and diplomatic channels wide open, Sir Keir Starmer faces the daunting challenge of preventing a regional flashpoint from turning into a broader conflict. His message is clear: military deterrence may buy time, but diplomacy must win the peace.
