Keir Starmer reassures that the UK is not being pulled into the broader Middle East conflict following a warning from Tehran. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, conveyed concerns about British military bases being used by US forces, labeling it as aggressive behavior. In a Farsi post on Telegram, Araghchi emphasized that such actions would be seen as participation in aggression. Starmer’s spokesperson affirmed the UK’s stance of not engaging in the initial strikes and avoiding escalation of the conflict.
The Prime Minister maintained his decision to deny US access to UK bases for launching missile strikes against Tehran. However, British airfields were later approved for defensive use after Iran retaliated against American-Israeli attacks. Housing Secretary Steve Reed praised the Prime Minister for his cautious approach in protecting British citizens without direct involvement in the conflict.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reported the successful return of over 100,000 stranded British nationals from the Middle East region via commercial and government-chartered flights. Despite concerns about disruptions in the global oil market, Downing Street encouraged the public to continue normal activities. The International Energy Agency recommended governments consider promoting remote work to reduce oil demand, but the UK remains focused on maintaining normalcy due to its diverse and resilient oil supply.
