ToplineBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday appeared critical of President Donald Trump’s earlier threat to wipe out “a whole civilization,” arguing Trump’s rhetoric was contrary to British values, as global leaders of American allied nations have expressed skepticism of a fragile ceasefire deal that seems to already be on precarious footing. Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes over Beirut on April 8, 2026.AFP via Getty ImagesKey FactsStarmer, who spoke to ITV on Thursday, said in response to Trump’s threat: “They are not words I would use, ever use, because I come at this with our British values and principles.” Starmer’s comment came after the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, who initially praised the ceasefire as a “much-needed chance to tone down threats, stop missiles, restart shipping and create space for diplomacy,” warned on Thursday that continued attacks from Israel in Lebanon “are putting the U.S.-Iran ceasefire under ​severe strain.”Trump has said Lebanon is not included in the ceasefire deal, a stipulation that has drawn the ire of global leaders, and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said Israel will continue strikes “wherever necessary.” French president Emmanuel Macron said he supported Trump's decision to accept a ceasefire, but that it will not be "credible and lasting" if it's not amended to include Lebanon. Russian spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called Israel’s attacks in Lebanon Wednesday “aggressive actions” and said they “threaten to derail the emerging negotiation process”.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who defended Trump’s heavy-handed threats against Iran by saying he is “convinced that it was not Trump’s intention to destroy a civilization,” also warned about the “severity” of Israeli attacks on Lebanon and said they could “derail the entire peace process.”Spain announced on Thursday it would reopen its embassy in Tehran and prime minister Pedro Sánchez, who has been among the most critical of Trump in recent days, called the ongoing conflict an “assault on civilisation” and blasted the U.S. and Israel’s “abuse of power, brute force and arbitrariness.” Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here: joinsubtext.com/forbes.Crucial Quote“The government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world ​on fire just because they show up with a bucket,” Sánchez said of the ceasefire news Wednesday. ContraGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended Trump’s heavy-handed threats against Iran, on Thursday saying “I am convinced that it was not Trump’s intention to destroy a civilisation”.What To Watch ForNetanyahu said on Thursday ‌that he has instructed Israel to ​begin peace talks with ⁠Lebanon. TangentKristalina Georgieva, head of the International Monetary Fund, on Thursday warned that even if a peace deal is reached, the Iran war will permanently "scar" the global economy: "Even in a best case, there will be no neat and clean return to the status quo," she said. The war has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route, and sent gas and oil prices soaring. Inflation is being pushed higher globally and the IMF has warned growth forecasts are being downgraded. Georgieva said the war has led to food insecurity for at least 45 million people. Key BackgroundThe war has led to serious divisions with NATO, a collective security military alliance that has stood for almost 80 years. The U.S. launched the Iran war without broad NATO support, and most European allies subsequently refused to participate in the conflict. Trump has called NATO "disappointing" and publicly vented his frustrations that American allies didn't support the war. He's called on them to do more to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and questioned if the United States belongs in the alliance at all. On Wednesday, Trump met with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte who said the pair had a “frank and open” discussion. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said they discussed the possibility of the U.S. leaving the alliance. Further ReadingForbesTrump Renews Pressure On ‘Very Disappointing’ NATO To Secure Strait (Live Updates)By Siladitya RayForbesBipartisan Calls To Remove Trump From Office Grew As He Threatened Iranian ‘Genocide’By Mary Whitfill Roeloffs