Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reiterated that the UK will not be drawn into a war with Iran, while warning that the ongoing conflict will still have significant consequences for the country.
Speaking from 10 Downing Street on Wednesday morning, Starmer addressed growing concerns over escalating tensions in the Middle East, stressing that while Britain would remain out of direct military involvement, the wider impact of the conflict could be felt at home.
He said: “It is now clear the impact of this war will affect the future of our country. So today I want to reassure the British people: no matter how fierce this storm, we are well placed to weather it.”
The Prime Minister confirmed that the UK is strengthening its diplomatic and strategic ties, announcing plans to form a closer partnership with the European Union in the coming weeks. He described this as essential in navigating what he called an increasingly “volatile” global landscape.
“As the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union,” he added.
His comments come amid international uncertainty, including remarks from former US President Donald Trump suggesting the United States may not guarantee future military support for the UK. Starmer downplayed the suggestion of a shift in alliances, emphasising that cooperation with the US remains strong, particularly on defence and intelligence.
“There’s been a good deal of pressure on me to change my position in relation to joining the war, and I’m not going to change my position on the war,” he said.
“I should say that on defence and security and intelligence, we’re obviously working closely with the US, as we always do, and in relation to the planning on the Strait of Hormuz, of course, that involves talking to the Americans.”
While the UK is not directly involved in military action, experts have warned that the conflict could have knock-on effects including rising energy prices, disruption to global shipping routes, and increased pressure on national security.
For Greater Manchester and Salford residents, this could translate into higher fuel costs, supply chain delays, and broader economic uncertainty in the months ahead.
Government officials have said contingency planning is already underway to mitigate potential impacts, particularly around energy resilience and trade stability, as tensions in the region continue to develop.
