London, United Kingdom — Following the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged Iran to return to diplomatic discussions. He emphasized the urgent need for stability in the region and expressed concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which he termed a “serious threat” to global security.
In his statement, Starmer clarified that the UK was not involved in the U.S. military action that targeted three key Iranian sites: Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo. He was reportedly notified of the strikes ahead of time. The airstrikes, which took place late Saturday, were said to be a part of an ongoing operation aimed at curtailing nuclear advancements in Iran.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds reiterated the UK’s commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons during an appearance on a Sunday news program. He emphasized the importance of calm and de-escalation and positioned the UK as a proponent of diplomatic solutions, asserting that Iran had previously been unwilling to engage in constructive discussions.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also weighed in on the matter, declaring that Iran’s nuclear program had suffered significant setbacks due to the recent attacks. He noted that the U.S. strikes came after a series of Israeli operations that targeted military and nuclear sites in Iran, indicating a coordinated effort to address perceived threats.
In retaliation to the U.S. actions, Iran has indicated its intent to respond. Seyed Ali Mousavi, Tehran’s ambassador to the UK, mentioned that Iran was contemplating the appropriate scale of its retaliation. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, condemned the U.S. strikes as “outrageous,” warning of severe repercussions and urged the international community to recognize the gravity of the situation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres labeled the U.S. airstrikes as a “dangerous escalation,” reflecting widespread concern among global leaders. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported no increase in off-site radiation levels following the attacks, though tensions remain high as countries monitor the fallout from this latest round of conflict.
In the UK, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised the U.S. for its decisive action against what she described as a regime that promotes global terrorism. Starmer has previously called for negotiation efforts to cool rising tensions, recognizing the potential for further escalation in the region.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with U.S. officials last week to discuss diplomatic avenues to prevent a deepening crisis. He said a potential window for negotiation exists in the coming weeks and stressed the necessity of a concerted international effort to reach a peaceful resolution.
As the situation develops, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has issued travel advisories against all non-essential trips to Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Iran, underscoring the continuing volatility in the region.