British Prime Minister Reiterates No Involvement in Middle East Conflict
On Monday, the British prime minister reiterated that the United Kingdom was not “getting dragged” into the Middle East conflict. He cited national interest as the reason for this stance.
“I will always make decisions that are in the national interest,” he said on X. “It’s why we aren’t getting dragged into the Middle East conflict, and why we are fighting to protect your living standards.”
The prime minister also emphasized his commitment to making decisions based on national interest. He stated, “And while opposition parties have responded by dividing communities, we respond with hope…”
Pressing opposition parties over their stance on the ongoing Iran war, he said the Labour party government responds with “hope and pride”.
Last week, Starmer said there was a “clear difference” in opinion between him and United States President Donald Trump. He told Sky News, “My own view is that a lot of what is said and done has been to put pressure on me to change my mind, but I’m not going to do so.”
Meanwhile, the prime minister will chair an emergency COBRA meeting on Tuesday on the Iran war. He is also expected to hold a roundtable with energy executives later today.
The remarks came amid turmoil in ties between the two transatlantic allies as Trump renewed his criticism of the UK for refusing to allow US military access to British bases for the US and Israel’s initial strike on Iran on February 28.
The UK eventually allowed this access for “defensive” action, but Starmer has since stressed that the UK will not join the Iran war. Since then, regional escalations have continued, with casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.