Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended the UK’s choice not to join initial US and Israeli strikes on Iran, calling it a “deliberate decision” in the UK’s national interest while emphasising that any UK military action must have a lawful basis and a viable, well-planned strategy.
Speaking in the Commons on Monday (2 March), he said: “We believe that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement in which Iran agrees to give up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon, and ceases its destabilising activity across the region.”
Starmer stressed the UK will only use its bases for defensive purposes. “We are not joining the US and Israeli offensive strikes,” he said, adding that the government will protect citizens and support the collective self-defence of allies.
He warned that “Iran’s outrageous response has become a threat to our people, our interests, and our allies and it cannot be ignored”, urging citizens in the region to follow official guidance.
Starmer closed by noting the wider impact of global events at home, saying they “hit our economy, drive up prices, divide communities, and bring anxiety and fear.” He stressed lessons from Iraq, emphasising that UK actions must have a lawful basis and a viable plan.
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