Keir Starmer Calls For Closer Europe Ties As Iran War Strains U.S. Relations

LONDON, April 1 (Reuters) – Global instability caused by the Iran war means Britain must focus on closer economic and defense ties with Europe, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump.

Starmer stated that establishing stronger relations with Europe will be at the center of the summer summit with the European Union, and warned that the consequences of the Iran war will last for a generation.

“As the world moves forward on this volatile path, it is increasingly clear that our long-term national interests require closer partnership with our allies in Europe,” Starmer told reporters at a Downing Street press conference.

Trump repeatedly insulted Starmer, calling him a coward for his unwillingness to join the US war against Iran, saying he was “no Winston Churchill” and describing Britain’s aircraft carriers as “toys”.

Starmer said he sees his country’s future as being more aligned with Europe, in a sign that British foreign policy is moving away from the United States, traditionally its closest ally.

After Trump was elected president for a second term in 2024, Starmer sought to position himself as a conduit between Europe and the United States. But their relations clearly deteriorated due to the Iran war.

Starmer initially rejected a US request to attack Iran from two British bases, but later agreed to allow what he called defensive missions aimed at protecting residents, including British citizens.

Asked about Trump’s criticism, Starmer said he would not bow to “pressure” to drag Trump into war.

Starmer said the government was instead focusing on deepening its relationship with Europe and that it was necessary to undo some of the “profound damage” caused by Brexit.

Although Starmer called for an “assertive” reset in relations, he ruled out rejoining the EU’s customs union or single market.

The opposition Conservative Party criticized Starmer, saying he was “trying to reopen old wounds of the Brexit years”, while the populist UK Reform Party said he should announce measures to reduce energy prices.

Starmer did not announce any new policies to help households at the press conference. But he said Britain would host meetings with its allies this week aimed at opening up the deal. Strait of HormuzThe vital energy shipping route, which has been effectively blocked by Iran since it came under attack by the United States and Israel, has now involved 35 countries in its efforts.

Starmer said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper would host a virtual meeting of the group on Thursday to consider diplomatic and political measures to reopen the Strait “after hostilities cease”.

According to the statement made by the British government, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Canada and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries that will participate in the talks.

A British official said that the first phase is expected to focus on mine hunting, followed by the second phase to protect tankers passing through the region.

(Reporting by Sarah Young, Andrew MacAskill, Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Catarina Demony, Michael Holden, Alexandra Hudson and Alex Richardson)