Keir Starmer reaffirmed that the UK is not being dragged into the broader conflict in the Middle East following a warning from Tehran. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, cautioned that allowing American forces to utilize British military bases would be seen as an aggressive act. This statement was made during a tense conversation with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, as reported by Iranian state media on Friday.
In a Farsi post on Telegram, Araghchi conveyed to Cooper that such actions would be construed as participating in aggression and would be remembered in the history of the two nations’ relations. He also emphasized Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty and independence.
Starmer’s spokesperson stated, “Our stance is clear. We did not partake in the initial strikes and are not being pulled into a broader conflict.” The UK had authorized the US to use its bases for a specific defensive purpose in response to Iran’s perceived aggression, aiming to address the immediate threat and facilitate diplomatic solutions.
When asked about concerns regarding the Iranian foreign minister’s remarks, the spokesperson reiterated the UK’s position of refraining from getting involved in the wider conflict. The Prime Minister’s decision not to grant the US request to use UK bases for the initial missile strikes on Tehran was maintained, but permission was later granted for defensive operations following Iran’s retaliation against American-Israeli strikes in the Gulf states.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed praised the Prime Minister for a measured approach, emphasizing the importance of defending British nationals while avoiding direct involvement in offensive actions. Cooper announced the successful return of over 100,000 stranded British nationals from the region, with a total of 300,000 Brits registered in the Middle East since the conflict began.
Despite concerns over disruptions in the global oil market, Downing Street encouraged the public to continue with their daily activities. The International Energy Agency recommended governments promote remote work to reduce oil demand, but the UK reiterated confidence in its diverse and robust oil supply, advising the public to maintain normal routines.
By using cookies and other identifiers, Reach and its partners collect information to enhance site experience, analyze usage, and deliver personalized advertising. Users can opt out of data sharing at any time. Acceptance of cookies and the outlined practices is implied by accessing the website and services.
