Starmer won’t say if Iran’s missiles can hit London amid claims UK is ‘defenceless’ as PM pleads for Trump to ‘de-escalate’ war
Keir Starmer sidestepped the issue of whether Iran could hit the UK with missiles today as he implored Donald Trump to ‘de-escalate’ the war.
The prime minister did not give a direct answer when asked about signs that the Tehran regime has a larger arsenal than previously thought.
The alarm was raised after two missiles were fired at the Diego Garcia military base on Friday. 2,360 miles to Iran.
One of them was reportedly hit by a US warship, while the other crashed into the ocean approximately 400 miles away.
Israel called on more countries to join the fight, saying the attacks proved Iran could ‘reach London, Paris or Berlin’.
Ministers are trying to downplay concerns that Britain does not have sufficient defenses to deal with any missiles.
But there was hope of progress today, with Mr Trump dramatically announcing a five-day ceasefire.
In a typo-filled, all-caps post on the Truth Social site, the president said “constructive” talks with the regime were ongoing.
Iran has yet to respond or give any indication of whether the vital Strait of Hormuz will be reopened.
Markets staged a breathtaking relief rally as oil prices fell back below $100 per barrel.
But even if hostilities end, the economic damage of the war will be felt in the coming months.
Keir Starmer has not responded directly to signs that the Tehran regime has a larger arsenal than previously thought.
Khorramshahr-4 missile was launched at an undisclosed location in Iran
Asked this morning whether the UK was within range of Iranian attacks, the Prime Minister said only that there was ‘no assessment that we are a target’.
Sir Keir told broadcasters: ‘We always make assessments to keep ourselves safe and there is no assessment that we have been targeted in this way.
‘But of course it’s my job to ensure that British interests and British lives are always in my mind.
What we need here is de-escalation, and that’s why last week we received a statement from many countries about what we should do regarding the Strait of Hormuz. It is obvious that careful coordination and a feasible plan is needed regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
‘But it is very important that we defend our interests, it is very important that we defend British lives without being dragged into war, and that is the clear distinction that I have made.’
Sir Keir discussed the Iran war and how to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz with Mr Trump in a 20-minute meeting last night.
No10 attempted to downplay tensions between the pair over the escalating crisis in the Middle East following the US-Israeli attacks and insisted the conversation was ‘constructive’.
But soon Before the speech, the president posted a toe-curling clip from the British version of ‘Saturday Night Live’ on the Truth Social platform.
The scene in the programme, which first aired on Sky this weekend, shows the Prime Minister in No 10 too terrified to pick up the phone to speak to Mr Trump about Iran.
‘What if Donald yells at me?’ The comedian, who plays Sir Keir, tells his sidekick David Lammy: When ‘Mr Trump’ answers he immediately hangs up in a panic.
The real Mr Trump has repeatedly expressed anger at Sir Keir’s reluctance to take on a greater military role, branding him “disappointing” and “un-Churchill”.
He also described NATO countries, including Britain, as “cowards” for not sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz.
Polls show the British public is extremely wary of joining the US-Israeli attack on Iran, which is causing a decimation of oil and gas supplies and raising fears of a global recession.
Aerial view of Diego Garcia facing attempted rocket attack this weekend
Premier FTSE 100 continues its decline, losing more than 1,100 points since the end of February
As concerns grow, 10-year bond interest rates rose again this morning
An Opinium poll published at the weekend revealed Sir Keir’s personal ratings have risen 11 points since the start of the strikes, although they remain at a very low level.
Britain has given the green light to US forces to conduct ‘defensive’ operations from its own military areas such as Diego Garcia.
On Friday evening, Sir Keir extended this to action aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, amid growing panic over oil supplies being cut.
But, Another conflict could be on the horizon, with government sources making clear the UK has not agreed to facilitate attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Mr Trump set a deadline of just before midnight for Iran to ‘fully’ reopen the Strait or face Iran.destruction of power plants.
