Andy Burnham wanted his premiership to be firmly focused on domestic policy. However, in his first week in office, the new prime minister found himself forced to deal with the sharp escalation in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Shortly before becoming premier, Burnham signalled that he would mark a significant departure from Keir Starmer's foreign policy, apologising for Labour's early support for Israel's war on Gaza and saying his government would consider banning goods from Israeli settlements.
The remarks were widely seen as a deliberate bid to win back voters who had abandoned Labour over its foreign policy, particularly on Gaza.
But the resurgent conflict between the US and Iran has meant that Burnham and his new foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, have had to decide how to navigate the war swiftly.
On Sunday night, Burnham spoke by phone with the leaders of Britain's Gulf allies.
