Sir Keir Starmer is awaiting Donald Trump's decision about strikes on Iran (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer has warned there is “a real risk of escalation” in the war against Iran as Donald Trump considers whether the US should launch strikes. If it happens, it could mean the UK becomes involved too. Asked about reports the US president has already approved a plan to join Israel’s attacks on Iran but has not yet decided whether to go ahead, the Prime Minister said: “The situation in relation to Israel-Iran is obviously fast-moving and in those circumstances, it’s really important to cling on to the key principles here.
“Obviously, all of us, the UK included, are very concerned about the nuclear programme that Iran is developing, we’ve long been concerned about that. Also, completely recognise Israel’s right to self-defence, but the principle is that we need to de-escalate this. There’s a real risk of escalation here that will impact the region, possibly beyond the region, akin to Gaza, and obviously it’s already having an impact on the economy.
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“So I’ve been absolutely clear we need to de-escalate this. Yes, the nuclear issue has to be dealt with, but it’s better dealt with by way of negotiations than by way of conflict.”
The Prime Minister would not be drawn on reports Attorney General Lord Hermer has legal concerns over potential UK involvement in the conflict.
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Sir Keir said: “The Attorney’s advice is never disclosed by any government, but I can tell you the principle, the driving intent, which is that de-escalation.
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“Because the risk of escalation across the region is obvious, and the impact it would have.
“I’m talking to leaders across the region all of the time. They’re voicing their concerns about what might happen in relation to them.
“Obviously, it’s having an impact on the economy and Gaza is already in an intolerable situation.
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“So it’s very clear: yes, we need to deal with the nuclear programme, there’s no doubt about that in my mind, but it is better dealt with as a negotiated outcome.
“De-escalate and get to that point. There have been several rounds of discussions with the US, that, to me, is the way to resolve this issue.”
US involvement could require the use of the UK-controlled Diego Garcia base in the Chagos Islands.
The B-2 stealth bombers based there are capable of carrying specialised “bunker buster” bombs which could be used against Iran’s underground nuclear facility at Fordo.
Asked if the UK would block the US from using the Diego Garcia base to launch a strike against Iran, the Prime Minister’s spokesman told journalists: “I’m not going to get into hypothetical situations and I’m not going to speculate on future operations, but we continue to liaise with international partners as the Prime Minister has done for a number of days now and will continue to do so.”
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel said the Conservative Party would support the Government in joining the military fight against Iran if it was deemed necessary.
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Asked whether she would agree if the UK joined the offensive, she told Good Morning Britain: “While we want peace in the region, we’re crystal clear that Iran should not be able to obtain nuclear weapons.
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“And if the Government judges that such action is necessary to avoid that then we would absolutely support the Government if it deemed it necessary to ensure that we can defend our country, our citizens and effectively a lot of our strategic equities in the Middle East region.”
She added that she believed the Opposition would be able to hold the Government to account without a vote in Parliament on such a decision.
Ms Patel also told the programme that the Government needs to “step up” the evacuation of British nationals in Israel.
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