UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the Iran-US ceasefire, calling it a moment of relief for the region and the world as he visits Gulf leaders.
Diplomatic efforts and Gulf visits
Sir Keir is expected to discuss ways to support and uphold the ceasefire during meetings with regional leaders. He will also meet UK military personnel in the Gulf, part of a pre-planned visit, before returning to the UK on Friday.
“This ceasefire brings a moment of relief to the region and the world,” Sir Keir said, adding that the UK and its partners must turn the temporary pause into a lasting agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Political reactions in the UK
Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly described the ceasefire as an opportunity for Iran to make “serious choices” regarding its domestic and foreign policies. He emphasised that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains an “absolute priority” and that the two-week ceasefire must be used constructively.
Ceasefire conditions and context
The conditional ceasefire was agreed just over an hour before US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran. Trump stated that the deal depended on the “complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz,” while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Iran would agree if attacks against the country ceased.
The conflict, which began in February with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, has caused regional tensions, disruption of global oil shipments, and rising fuel costs worldwide. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for a fifth of global energy shipments, will see safe passage during the two-week ceasefire.
Also read: How Pakistan mediates fragile US-Iran ceasefire
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