Starmer says UK 'doing everything it can' to de-escalate Iran tensions as holds emergency COBRA meeting
Keir Starmer has held an emergency COBRA meeting after the US struck Iran's nuclear facilities overnight, as he said Britain is doing "everything we can to stabilise the situation".
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Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Middle East minister Hamish Falconer were both seen entering Downing Street for the meeting.
These are called in emergency scenarios including civil unrest, as well international conflicts.
The government has held multiple COBRA meetings since Israel launched strikes on Iran's nuclear sites last Friday.
Today's was held as Starmer warned the Israel's conflict with Iran risks spilling outside of the region following the US' strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites.
"That is a risk to the region, it's a risk beyond the region, and that's why all our focus has been on de-escalating, getting people back around to negotiate what is a very real threat in relation to the nuclear programme," he said.
Starmer refused to "speculate about what may happen" and whether Britain would get involved, but stressed that "all necessary measures" have been taken to protect the British public.
He added: "We've long had concerns about the Iranian nuclear programme, and been very clear that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
"The US has now taken action to alleviate that threat. It is important that we now de-escalate the situation, stabilise the region, and get the parties back around the table to negotiate, and I've been speaking with international leaders this morning to that end."
US President Donald Trump authorised the bombings of the underground Fordow plant, one of the country’s key nuclear sites, and two other facilities in the early hours of Sunday morning, calling it a “successful attack”.
In what is the most consequential decision of Mr Trump’s presidency so far, the US assault on Iran signals a significant escalation in its conflict with Israel.
Read more: Whether the UK wished it or not, we are now in the firing-line after Trump's strikes on Iran
Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi blasted the US strikes on three of its nuclear facilities as "extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour" and warned Tehran is "considering all options" as it plots its revenge.
Starmer said Tehran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon following the strikes as he backed the US' intervention.
In a statement on Sunday morning, the PM said:“Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.
“The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis."
Reports from the US suggested that the bombers flew direct from the US rather than using the joint UK/US base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
There is understood to have been no UK involvement in the action, which comes after Sir Keir and Foreign Secretary David Lammy had pushed for a diplomatic solution rather than US action which could further destabilise the region.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.