British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned of a “risk of escalation” in the Middle East and beyond, following overnight US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Calling for renewed diplomatic efforts, Starmer stressed the urgent need to de-escalate tensions and bring parties back to the negotiating table.
UK Not Involved but Was Informed in Advance says Keir Starmer
Speaking from his Chequers country retreat on Sunday, Starmer confirmed that the UK was not involved in the US strikes but was notified in advance. He chaired an emergency Cobra meeting and held calls with world leaders to assess the situation. “Our focus is on de-escalation and getting everyone back around the table,” he said, adding that the threat extends “beyond the region.”
The prime minister also revealed that the UK had been “moving assets to the region to make sure we’re in a position to protect our own interests, our personnel and our assets, and, of course, those of our allies.” A UK defence source confirmed that British military personnel in the Middle East are now on their highest alert level.
Keir Starmer Faces Iranian Backlash as IAEA Raises Concerns
The US military confirmed it targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites—Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo—on Saturday night. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed the strikes “devastated the Iranian nuclear programme.” President Donald Trump, in a televised address, called the operation a “spectacular military success” and warned of “far greater” attacks if Iran does not seek peace.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as “outrageous,” and its ambassador to the UK said Iran is weighing the “quantity and quality” of its response. While Iran insists its nuclear efforts are peaceful, the IAEA recently reported it had enriched enough uranium for potentially nine nuclear bombs.
International Reactions and UK Political Divide
Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed Iran’s programme had been “substantially” hit but was not informed beforehand. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised the US’s “decisive action,” while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called for immediate de-escalation. UN Secretary General António Guterres labelled the strikes a “dangerous escalation.”
Starmer had met US President Donald Trump just last week at the G7 summit in Canada, where he pushed for de-escalation. Foreign Secretary David Lammy travelled to Washington to discuss diplomatic alternatives with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff. Lammy said a two-week window now exists for a peaceful resolution and also met Iranian officials alongside European leaders.
UK Responds with Travel Warnings and Evacuations
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Iran. A charter flight is being arranged from Tel Aviv for vulnerable British nationals and their dependents, subject to airspace availability.
British Airways also announced it is pausing flights to Dubai and Doha. Affected passengers have been offered the option to rebook flights until 6 July, as flights from London Heathrow to the region were cancelled over the weekend for safety reasons.