British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed strong support for efforts aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, condemning Tehran as “utterly abhorrent,” amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. While the UK did not participate in recent coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel, Starmer confirmed that British military assets have been deployed defensively in the region.
In a nationally broadcast address on Saturday, Starmer acknowledged the rapid escalation of hostilities, stressing the risks to regional stability and the safety of civilians, including British citizens and communities with family ties across the Middle East.
“I know the British people and communities across our country will be deeply concerned about what this means for security and stability, and for the fate of innocent people across the region,” Starmer said.
He sharply criticized the Iranian government, highlighting its record of repressing dissent and supporting attacks abroad. “They have murdered thousands of their own people, brutally crushed dissent, and sought to destabilize the region,” Starmer said. He also accused Tehran of posing a direct threat to security in the UK, citing over 20 allegedly lethal plots backed by the Iranian regime on British soil in the past year.
While condemning Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes across the region, Starmer emphasized that Britain’s forces are active in defensive operations. “Our forces are active, and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests, and our allies as Britain has done before in line with international law,” he said.
Starmer also stressed ongoing diplomatic engagement. He revealed that he had held consultations with European and regional leaders, urging Iran to immediately halt hostilities and return to negotiations. “Iran should end this now. They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons programmes, and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people,” he said, urging de-escalation and a return to the negotiating table.
The Prime Minister’s remarks signal the UK’s dual approach: maintaining military readiness while applying diplomatic pressure to prevent further escalation and safeguard civilians amid the growing crisis in the Middle East.