British PM Starmer calls for ‘return to diplomacy' after Israel strikes on Iran
LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Friday on all parties to take a step back and de-escalate, after Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran's military and nuclear sites.
'The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region,' he said in a statement.
Israel strikes Iran nuclear facilities, missile factories
'Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.'
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US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for the new US ambassador to China, former US Senator David Perdue, at the White House in Washington, DC, US on May 7, 2025. Photo: REUTERS US President Donald Trump urged Iran Friday to make a deal or face "even more brutal" attacks by Israel, as Washington said it was helping its key ally defend itself against Iranian retaliation. But Trump also kept the door open for negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program, as the president who boasted he had "no wars" in his first term tries to avoid getting dragged into one in his second. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Friday, a White House official told AFP. He said earlier that Israel had let him know in advance about its strikes on Iran's military top brass and nuclear facilities. After Iran launched barrages of ballistic missiles on Friday, the United States was "assisting in shooting down missiles targeting Israel," two US officials told AFP, without giving detail on the extent of Washington's role. The US president also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who both stressed the need for dialogue. He also reportedly spoke to Saudi and Qatari leaders. Trump attended a National Security Council meeting in the White House Situation Room as his team worked on the crisis. An aide posted a black and white picture of a grim-faced, purse-lipped Trump striding through the West Wing. But the flurry of meetings and diplomatic calls came as Trump trod a tightrope between backing Israel and seeking the nuclear deal he promised he could reach with Iran. Israel struck Iran just hours after Trump publicly urged Netanyahu to hold off on an attack, with the first missiles landing as the US president hosted a picnic for lawmakers on the White House South Lawn. "There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Friday. "Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left... JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," he said. Trump said that he "gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal." But in a series of calls with US media later, he wavered between backing Israel's "excellent" strikes and calling for a return to the negotiating table.
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British PM Starmer calls for ‘return to diplomacy' after Israel strikes on Iran
LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Friday on all parties to take a step back and de-escalate, after Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran's military and nuclear sites. 'The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region,' he said in a statement. Israel strikes Iran nuclear facilities, missile factories 'Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.'
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EDITORIAL: As part of Pakistan's diplomatic outreach to the international community in the aftermath of last month's four-day military standoff with India, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari visiting London at the head of a delegation gave a briefing to a meeting of cross-party British parliamentarians. There he highlighted India's attack on civilian population, violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and holding in abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty in contravention of international law and modern rules-based system. Bilawal also explained that 'India had levelled serious accusations [of backing the Pahalgam terrorist attack] without any credible investigation or verifiable evidence,' and that these actions are not just irresponsible, but pose serious risks to peace and stability in South Asia and beyond. Pakistan has rightly been arguing that if India has evidence of its involvement in the Pahalgam atrocity, it should allow an independent investigation so as to establish the truth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a habit of using accusation of cross-border terrorism as a political tool during times of internal pressure or upcoming elections — in Behar come October. Assaults on Pakistan, rhetorical or real, are projected by him as demonstrations of strength for rallying his Hindutva support base. Extremely troubling, however, is what followed last month's incident: missile and drone attacks on alleged 'terrorist sanctuaries' inside Pakistan in blatant violation of this country's sovereignty and international law. With hubris getting the better of them, PM Modi declared the strikes as the 'New Normal', i.e., a right to fire missiles into Pakistan in the event of any act of terrorism; meanwhile, his External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that Pakistan was informed about the strikes before the start of 'Operation Sindoor', arrogantly assuming there would be no reaction. Pakistan's quick retaliatory response delivered extensive military losses, acknowledged by many independent defence analysts. The two nuclear-armed neighbours were on the brink of a full-fledged war when US President Donald Trump helped mediate a ceasefire. According to Modi, though, it is only a 'pause'. Escalatory rhetoric and actions benefit no one. Consequences of any miscalculation between the two nuclear states are unthinkable. India's attempts to unilaterally alter regional dynamics through unsubstantiated accusations and aggressive military posturing should be a matter of concern to the international community. What is needed is normalisation of dialogue rather than normalisation of aggression, and a commitment to peaceful coexistence. Pakistan, for its part, has consistently expressed willingness to engage in dialogue and address all outstanding issues of dispute, including terrorism, water, and of course Kashmir — the root cause of three of the four wars between them. The cycle of provocation and retaliation must give way to dialogue and conflict resolution in the greater interest of peace and stability in South Asia. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
