PM defends decision not to join initial strikes by US and Israel and says UK is doing ‘everything we can’ to de-escalate situation
Middle East crisis – live updates
Keir Starmer has said the Iran conflict engulfing the Middle East could continue “for some time” as he urged Donald Trump that the “best way forward” in the longer term was a negotiated settlement with Tehran.
The prime minister said the UK was doing “everything we can” to de-escalate the situation, a clear contrast to the US president, who is focused on regime change and has said it was “too late” for the Iranian regime to negotiate.
He defended his decision to block initial offensive strikes by the US and Israel at the weekend, saying he “stands by” his judgment and denying it had damaged the special relationship.
