Keir Starmer acknowledged the need for ongoing efforts to solidify the Iran-US ceasefire agreement while evading queries about the status of his relationship with Donald Trump. The UK Prime Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia came after the US President backed down from his dire threats against Iran and agreed to a two-week ceasefire, retracting his earlier warnings of catastrophic consequences for Iran’s refusal to comply regarding the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon in its confrontation with Hezbollah, heightening concerns about the durability of the fragile truce. Israel has argued that its actions are outside the scope of the peace agreement.
During a visit to a Saudi Arabian air base, Mr. Starmer expressed relief at the ceasefire but emphasized the necessity for sustained efforts to uphold the peace deal and ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz. He underscored the importance of collaboration with regional nations to achieve these objectives.
Regarding his stance on the conflict, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to not engage in the war, a stance that has strained his relationship with President Trump, who has criticized Mr. Starmer for his non-involvement approach.
In a joint statement, Mr. Starmer and other global leaders called for Israel to halt its offensive in Lebanon and welcomed the ceasefire, urging swift progress towards a negotiated settlement to safeguard Iran’s civilians and regional stability, thereby averting a potential global energy crisis.
President Trump announced the two-week ceasefire, mentioning Iran’s proposal for a 10-point plan as a basis for negotiations while emphasizing US military presence to ensure compliance. Pakistan’s Prime Minister invited Iranian and US officials for discussions in Islamabad on Friday.
President Trump hailed the ceasefire as a significant step towards world peace on his Truth Social platform, envisioning a prosperous era for the Middle East.