Keir Starmer has criticized the “reckless” Iranian assault that caused a Kuwaiti oil refinery to catch fire.
The Gulf nations are enduring attacks from Tehran while tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran continue to rise.
During a conversation with Kuwait’s Crown Prince, the Prime Minister discussed the potential deployment of the UK’s air defense system to safeguard Kuwaiti and British personnel.
According to a statement from Downing Street, the Prime Minister condemned the drone attack on the Kuwaiti oil refinery as reckless and reaffirmed the UK’s support for Kuwait and its Gulf allies.
The Prime Minister and the Crown Prince also discussed the UK’s rapid sentry air defense system’s deployment to Kuwait to ensure the protection of personnel and interests in the region without escalating tensions.
Furthermore, they addressed the ongoing shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and welcomed a meeting led by the Foreign Secretary to devise a plan for reopening the strait, agreeing to collaborate on this issue in the following weeks.
The Defence Secretary, John Healey, confirmed that a Rapid Sentry air defense missile system has been delivered to Kuwait to enhance the country’s defense capabilities against potential Iranian attacks. Despite causing fires in several operational units, no employees were harmed during the assault, with emergency response teams and environmental experts dispatched to assess air quality in the aftermath.
Less than 24 hours prior, Yvette Cooper condemned Iran’s actions, accusing the regime of using the global economy as leverage through the Strait of Hormuz. The Foreign Secretary held crucial discussions with multiple nations, demanding the immediate reopening of the shipping route. Sanctions against Iran were also deliberated by the UK and its allies if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
