March 16, (THEWILL) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed the strength of the United Kingdom’s alliance with U.S. President Donald Trump while making clear that Britain will not be drawn into a wider war as tensions escalate with Iran.
Speaking during a press conference at 10 Downing Street, Starmer disclosed that he held a telephone conversation with Trump on Sunday as both leaders discussed the growing conflict and efforts by allies to safeguard the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The vital shipping lane carries a significant share of global oil supplies and has become a focal point in the widening crisis in the Gulf.
Starmer described his relationship with Trump as positive, noting that both countries had maintained a strong alliance for decades.
He stated, “It’s a good relationship,” the prime minister said, adding that the two leaders had “a good discussion yesterday about the Straits. We are strong allies; we have been for decades.”
However, he stressed that Britain’s decisions would ultimately be guided by national interest.
“It is for me to act in what I consider to be the best interest of Britain,” Starmer said.
The prime minister confirmed that discussions were ongoing with allies about developing a “viable plan” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has become increasingly volatile amid the confrontation with Tehran.
According to Starmer, recent military operations by the United States have “massively weakened” Iran’s military capabilities, though he cautioned that restoring stability to the shipping route would not be straightforward.
“After the conflict, there is going to need to be some sort of negotiated agreement,” he said.
He stressed that any settlement must limit Tehran’s ability to rebuild its nuclear programme while restoring freedom of navigation and stability to global markets.
Despite Britain’s support for allied operations, Starmer insisted that the UK would not be drawn into a broader military conflict.
“The UK will not be drawn into the wider war,” he said.
The prime minister also revealed that about 92,000 British nationals have already been evacuated from the region, while thousands of UK service personnel remain stationed in Cyprus alongside three squadrons of fighter jets deployed to help intercept Iranian attacks.
The escalating tensions in the Gulf have raised concerns about the potential impact on global energy prices and the cost of living in the UK.
Responding to questions from the BBC’s political editor Chris Mason, Starmer argued that de-escalating the conflict would be the most effective way to ease economic pressure on households.
“The best approach is to de-escalate the conflict, as this will be the simplest and most effective way to combat the cost of living,” he said.
To cushion the impact on vulnerable households, the prime minister announced a £53 million support package for those reliant on heating oil.
He also confirmed that energy bills will remain capped until the end of June, saving the average household about £170, while the fuel duty cap has been extended until September.
“Ending war is the quickest way to reduce the cost of living,” Starmer said.
The prime minister further stressed that the Middle East crisis must not divert attention from continued support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
“It’s vital that we continue to focus on supporting Ukraine,” Starmer said, warning that the conflict could become “a windfall” for Russian President Vladimir Putin if Western allies lose focus.
Starmer concluded by reflecting on the heavy responsibility that comes with decisions about military deployment.
“Deciding whether to deploy UK troops is the toughest question for any prime minister. If you’re the Prime Minister, you don’t get to come back a week later and say – oops I made a mistake about that war, can I back out of it now,” Starmer said
He added that his leadership approach would remain focused on defending Britain’s interests despite international pressure.
“I am standing firm for the British interest, no matter the pressure. I believe time will show that we have the right approach,” he said.
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