Donald Trump delays decision on Iran strikes as Keir Starmer calls for peace
Donald Trump said he was still hopeful of reaching a negotiated solution with Tehran as hostilities between Israel and Iran persist and Sir Keir Starmer calls for moderation in Middle Eastern affairs
Donald Trump is holding off on deciding whether to engage in Israeli-led strikes on Iran, as Sir Keir Starmer calls for moderation in Middle Eastern affairs.
The US president remains optimistic about a diplomatic resolution with Tehran and has promised to make a definitive military decision within the forthcoming fortnight, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt disclosed to the press on Thursday.
Leavitt relayed the president's words: "Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision on whether or not to go within the next two weeks."
Previously on Wednesday, Trump mentioned the possibility that he "may" participate in Israeli offensives targeting Iran's nuclear capacities, but also indicated: "I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do. On the same day, the UK Prime Minister had implored Trump to reconsider any military involvement, warning of a "real risk of escalation".
Sir Keir acknowledged multiple dialogue sessions with the American counterparts and encouraged such diplomatic engagements as a method to resolve tensions. Foreign Secretary David Lammy delivered Britain's message advocating for diminished hostility to Washington, where a meeting was expected with Trump's senior foreign policy advisor Marco Rubio on Thursday evening.
In the background of these discussions lies the burgeoning conjecture that any US offensive might leverage the British-managed Diego Garcia facility in the Chagos Islands. The B-2 stealth bombers stationed there are equipped with advanced "bunker buster" bombs, which could target Iran's subterranean nuclear site at Fordo.
Attorney General Lord Hermer has reportedly voiced legal worries about UK involvement in the conflict beyond defending allies, potentially restricting support for the US if Trump opts for military action.
Sir Keir Starmer has refrained from discussing Lord Hermer's counsel but emphasised that "de-escalation" is the key objective The UK's participation in any US-led military strike remains uncertain.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed conditional backing for the US using Diego Garcia against Iran, while shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel indicated party support for UK engagement if necessary.
Liberal Democrat chief Sir Ed Davey has urged the Government to disclose Lord Hermer's advice, warning against the UK being pulled into another unlawful Middle Eastern conflict by the US.
In the meantime, hostilities between Israel and Iran persist, with Israel's defence minister issuing a stark warning to Iran's supreme leader following an assault that damaged a significant hospital in Tel Aviv.
Israel Katz warned Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that he "should not continue to exist" if the Israeli military is to "achieve all of its goals". Israel has continued its offensive manoeuvres against Iran, targeting the latter's Arak heavy water nuclear reactor.
While Tehran maintains the peaceful nature of its nuclear ambitions, it's notable that it stands alone as the only non-nuclear-armed state actively enriching uranium to 60%, just a technical step down from the 90% enrichment level of weapons-grade material and significantly higher than necessary for civilian power generation.
In the midst of these alarming developments, an estimated 22,000 holidaymakers are desperately seeking ways out of Israel, as per information released by Israel's Ministry for Tourism.
Tourism ministry chief Danny Shachar announced that the Israeli authorities are hustling to organise outbound flights under their "safe return" scheme, initially meant for Israelis coming home.
The UK Government has yet to disclose the number of British citizens in Israel but has prompted those there to make their presence known to the British embassy. Despite the Foreign Office discouraging all travel to the region and having evacuated embassy staff's families, it is yet to recommend that Britons evacuate.
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