Keir Starmer heads to Gulf after US and Iran agree two-week ceasefire | Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer is heading to the Gulf to meet leaders in the region to discuss diplomatic efforts to support the ceasefire reached between the US and Iran.
The prime minister’s visit on Wednesday came just hours after US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday evening, canceling a self-imposed deadline for Iran to surrender or face widespread destruction.
Starmer said on Wednesday: “I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring momentary relief to the region and the world.
“Together with our partners, we must do all we can to support and maintain this ceasefire, turn it into a permanent agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Downing Street said the prime minister would discuss diplomatic efforts to support and maintain a ceasefire to bring a “permanent solution” to the conflict and protect the UK and the global economy, which is straining consumers and countries around the world.
Starmer’s visit, planned before a ceasefire was declared, comes as Trump faces growing pressure to limit US access to British air bases after warning that “an entire civilization will die” if Tehran does not comply with its demands and allow commercial ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The US president’s comments were criticized by military observers and retired officers as “possibly war crimes” and were not directly criticized by Downing Street.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is said to have met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio following Trump’s statements and called for a rapid end to the conflict, while Britain supported negotiations and efforts to prevent further tensions.
Cooper and Rubio also discussed international efforts and diplomatic measures to open the Strait of Hormuz; This includes a UK-led meeting chaired by Cooper, which brought together more than 40 countries for a meeting aimed at reopening.
The coalition of countries met in London last week to discuss possible economic and diplomatic measures to force Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas shipping route that has been closed since the start of US-Israeli attacks.
