Prime minister says ensuring that Iran does not develop a nuclear programme is a ‘number one priority’
Keir Starmer has signalled support for Donald Trump’s aggressive approach towards Iran, saying it is vital the Iranian leadership is not able to develop nuclear weapons.
While the prime minister did not comment directly on the possibility of US military strikes on Iran, he said allies needed to face up to the nuclear issue and “deal with” the deadly repression of anti-government protests.
The US president has warned Iran it must end its nuclear programme and stop killing protesters if a large US armada of warships deployed in the Middle East is not to be used against them.
Starmer’s words during a visit to China on Friday were deliberately guarded, and No 10 officials said he would not comment on hypothetical future US strikes, but they are likely to be seen by some as a tacit endorsement of Trump’s bellicose attitude to Tehran.
