PM warns of ‘risk of escalation’ after US bombs Iran nuclear sites
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned of a “risk of escalation” beyond the Middle East after the United States bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities overnight. Calling for a return to diplomatic negotiations, Starmer reassured the British public that the UK is doing all it can to stabilise the situation.
Speaking on Sunday, Starmer said there was no UK involvement in the strikes, but confirmed that he had been informed in advance. He emphasised that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a top UK priority and announced he would chair an emergency Cobra meeting later in the day.
The US confirmed it struck sites in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo on Saturday night. While appearing on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds acknowledged the UK preferred a peaceful solution but said Iran had ignored diplomatic efforts.
“I wanted a different way to obtain this, but I cannot pretend prevention of Iran having a nuclear weapon is anything other than in the interests of the UK,” Reynolds said.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, claiming its recent uranium enrichment to 60% is for research purposes. However, a recent IAEA report warned that Iran has enough enriched uranium to potentially build nine nuclear bombs.
Iran’s ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, denied intentions for military aggression and said Iran was weighing its response to the US action. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi labelled the strikes “outrageous” and warned of “everlasting consequences.”
President Donald Trump, in a televised address, hailed the operation as a “spectacular military success,” warning Iran of further strikes if peace is not pursued. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Iran’s nuclear programme had been “substantially” hit, though he had no prior knowledge of the strikes.
UN Secretary General António Guterres called the attacks a “dangerous escalation,” while UK political figures urged caution. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised the US action, while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey stressed the need for de-escalation and diplomacy.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who met US and Iranian officials last week, said a diplomatic window remains open in the coming weeks. The UK Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Iran, Israel, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Credit: BBC
