'Stability in Middle East is priority,' says Starmer - as world reacts to strikes
Sir Keir Starmer has said stability in the Middle East is "a priority" following US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, as the world has reacted to the attack.
The prime minister also called on Iran to "return to the negotiating table" to "reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis".
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In a statement, Sir Keir said: "Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security.
"Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.
"The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority.
"We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis."
Sky News understands there was no UK involvement in the strikes on Iran.
Sir Keir and Foreign Secretary David Lammy had been pushing for a diplomatic solution. On Thursday the prime minister warned of a "real risk of escalation" in the conflict.
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The US struck three sites in Iran early on Sunday morning, with Donald Trump boasting the country's key nuclear sites were "completely and fully obliterated" in an address to the nation from the White House and warned there could be further strikes if Iran retaliates.
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Netanyahu praises Trump
Israel 's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Mr Trump for the attack, saying: "Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history...
"History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons."
UN secretary-general 'gravely alarmed' by US attack
But UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said he was "gravely alarmed by the use of force" by the US against Iran.
"This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge - and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control - with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world."
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged all sides to step back and return to the negotiating table. "Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon," she said in a post on X.
"I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation," she said, adding that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation tomorrow.
How the world reacted to the strikes
Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on X: "We strongly condemn the US bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities, which constitutes a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
"The aggression seriously violates the UN Charter and international law and plunges humanity into a crisis with irreversible consequences."
Venezuela's foreign minister Yvan Gil said his country's government "condemns US military aggression" and "demands an immediate cessation of hostilities".
In a statement, an Australian government spokesperson said Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme "has been a threat to international peace and security".
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said it is "crucial that there be a quick de-escalation of the conflict".
Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani said after the attack his country's government hopes "a de-escalation can begin and Iran can sit down at the negotiating table".
The US attack came after more than a week of strikes by Israel, which have significantly degraded Iran's air defences and offensive missile capabilities, and damaged its nuclear enrichment facilities.
Israel's strikes on Iran have killed at least 865 people and wounded 3,396 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The group said of those killed, 365 were civilians and 215 were security force personnel.
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Sky News
32 minutes ago
- Sky News
Israel-Iran live: 'Incredible success' of US strikes on Iran hailed by Hegseth; Starmer warns conflict could escalate beyond region
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He said: "The battle damage assessment is ongoing, but our initial assessment, as the chairman said, is that all of our precision munitions struck where we wanted them to strike and had the desired effect, which means especially in Fordow, which was the primary target here, we believe we achieved destruction of capabilities there." Strikes on Iran were 'an incredible and overwhelming success' - US defence secretary Secretary of defence Pete Hegseth opens the news briefing by saying US forces "conducted a precision strike in the middle of the night against three nuclear facilities in Iran". The aim was "to destroy or severely degrade Iran's nuclear programme". "It was an incredible and overwhelming success," he declares. "We devastated the Iranian nuclear programme." Hegseth goes on to say that President Trump has stated for over a decade that "Iran must not get a nuclear weapon", and thanks to last night's decision, "Iran's nuclear ambitions have been obliterated". This operation was the "final blow" to Tehran's nuclear programme, Hegseth claims, and describes President Trump's plan as "bold" and "brilliant". "When this president speaks, the world should listen. And the US military - we can back it up. The most powerful military the world has ever known - no other country on planet Earth could have conducted the operation that the chairman is going to outline this morning." Nonetheless, President Trump "seeks peace", Hegseth continues, adding that Iran "should choose that path". The defence secretary also reiterated that Iran should not retaliate, as the president emphasised last night. "Every American involved in this operation performed flawlessly, and I want to give recognition to our allies in Israel as well," he adds. "The United States does not seek war, but let me be clear - we will act swiftly and decisively when our people, our partners, or our interests are threatened." Watch live: Pentagon holds news briefing after strikes in Iran A news briefing at the Pentagon - the home of the US military - is under way. Secretary of defence Pete Hegseth and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Dan Caine (the most senior US military official) are speaking in the wake of last night's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Watch live on Sky News, and in the stream at the top of this page. Iran's response could make global economic shock of Ukraine war 'seem like small change' A former senior British military intelligence officer has told Sky News that the world could face huge economic turbulence, depending on how Iran chooses to respond to the US strikes. Phillip Ingram says what happens next - with the Iranian leadership likely to feel compelled to respond - could be "really, really worrying". He told Sky News presenter Matt Barbet earlier: "If Iran does shut the Straits of Hormuz, between 20 and 30% of all the world's oil and gas goes through that strait. "The economic shock that would cause across the world would make what happened when Russia invaded Ukraine just over three years ago seem like small change." Iran has other options, Ingram went on, with its proxies across the region. Some of these, Ingram said, "were scary". They range from terrorist activity to attacking US bases in the Middle East, he said. Watch the full interview below: UK steps up 'force protection measures' at military bases in Middle East The UK has further increased its "force protection" measures for its military bases and personnel in the Middle East to their highest level in the wake of the US strikes against Iran, Sky News understands. This will involve greater security and heightened vigilance to protect British troops, equipment and bases. EU Red Sea mission raises assessment to 'severe' for US and Israeli ships The EU's naval mission in the Red Sea has raised its assessment level to "severe". 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Leader Live
32 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Plaid to PM: 'Don't follow Trump into Middle East conflict'
Rhun ap Iorwerth, MS for Ynys Môn, and Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, welcomed Prime Minister Keir Starmer's calls for diplomacy and de-escalation, but voiced concerns that he had fallen short of roundly condemning President Trump's authorisation of US strikes against Iran overnight. The Plaid Cymru politicians said that the pursuit of peace should take priority over any UK loyalty to the US and warned against repeating history where the UK entered a regional conflict in the Middle East as 'America's puppet.' In a joint statement, Mr ap Iorwerth and Ms Saville Roberts said: 'President Trump's decision to launch US strikes against Iran is potentially catastrophic for an already destabilised region. 'Whilst Prime Minister Keir Starmer's calls for diplomacy and de-escalation are to be welcomed, it is concerning that he has fallen short of roundly condemning President Trump's actions. 'The pursuit of peace should take priority over any UK loyalty to the US. We all remember the disastrous consequences of being dragged into a regional conflict in the Middle East as America's puppet. 'It is essential therefore that Parliament has the opportunity to veto any UK military involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict should Keir Starmer yield to any pressure from President Trump and propose some form of intervention. 'In the same way the US Democrats are divided on the issue, Keir Starmer may well face pressure from Labour hawks to follow President Trump's lead. 'Air strikes were launched against Syria in 2018 without granting Parliament an opportunity to vote on military action. At the time Plaid Cymru accused then-Prime Minister Theresa May of showing complete disregard towards democracy. 'We stand firmly by that view and reiterate our calls for restraint before more innocent civilian lives are lost.' The US strike on Iran has fuelled fears that Israel's war with Tehran could escalate to a wider regional conflict. World leaders have reacted with calls for diplomacy and words of caution. US President Donald Trump had said on Thursday that he would decide within two weeks whether to get involved. In the end, it took just days, and Washington inserted itself into Israel's campaign with its early attack early on Sunday, reports the Press Association (PA).
Powys County Times
32 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
UK must push for diplomatic solution following US strikes on Iran, says Swinney
John Swinney has said the UK must push for a diplomatic solution delivered by the international community, following the overnight US strikes on Iran's nuclear programme. The Scottish First Minister's response to the developments in the Middle East came after Sir Keir Starmer urged Iran to return to negotiations. UK minister Douglas Alexander said the Government 'has been putting contingencies in place' as the region braces for any potential retaliation from Iran. US President Donald Trump said three key nuclear sites in Iran were 'completely and fully obliterated' in the military strikes. The US is thought to have used B-2 stealth bombers to drop bunker-busting munitions on the sites – including the deeply-buried Fordo facility – as well as 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines. The US-UK base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean is not thought to have been used in the operation. Posting on X, Mr Swinney said: 'The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran. 'The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the UK Government must insist on that now.' The Prime Minister had earlier said Iran should 'return to the negotiating table', noting the region remains 'volatile'. The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran. The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the U.K. Government must insist on that now. — John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) June 22, 2025 He said: 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.' Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf was critical of the Prime Minister's response. He posted on social media: 'An awful statement from the PM, which ignores our collective responsibility to uphold international law. 'Supporting illegal military action in Iran, and gas-lighting us about an imminent nuclear threat, is hauntingly reminiscent of the lies told in the run up to the Iraq war.' During a protest march in London, Mr Yousaf had earlier accused the UK Government of 'abusing' anti-terror laws against the Palestine Action group, which vandalised two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call… — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2025 Trade policy minister Mr Alexander, who is the MP for Lothian East and a former international development minister, spoke to the BBC's Sunday Show. He said: 'I understand that people have woken up this morning to the news that was breaking overnight with a real sense of concern. 'I want to assure your viewers that the British Government has been putting contingencies in place. 'There have been a whole series of meetings, I and other have been attending Cobra meetings in the course of the week.'
