United Kingdom: UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to US President Donald Trump following a series of US airstrikes on three Iran nuclear facilities, Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo.
Downing Street confirmed the conversation took place in the wake of the strikes, with both leaders stressing the urgency for Iran to return to the negotiating table. Sir Keir, speaking from Chequers, said there is a risk of escalation across the Middle East and beyond, and reassured the public that the UK is doing everything it can to stabilise the situation and pursue a diplomatic solution.
Although the UK was not involved in the strikes, the prime minister confirmed he was informed in advance. An emergency Cobra meeting was convened, and Sir Keir also held calls with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In a joint statement, the three leaders urged Iran not to escalate further and reaffirmed their commitment to diplomacy.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he had spoken to counterparts in both Iran and Israel, advocating for a diplomatic, negotiated solution to resolve the crisis. Meanwhile, the Pentagon said the strikes carried out by B-2 stealth bombers had devastated the Iranian nuclear programme. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described the operation as a major blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as outrageous and warned of everlasting consequences. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, though the International Atomic Energy Agency recently reported that Tehran had accumulated enough enriched uranium for up to nine nuclear weapons.
In response to the escalating threat, the UK has increased its military alert level in the region. A defence source confirmed that British personnel are now in the highest state of readiness. Starmer added that the UK has been moving assets to the region to protect national and allied interests.
The US action has drawn a divided political response in the UK. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised the strikes as a decisive action against a regime that fuels global terror. In contrast, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the UK must ‘de-escalate the conflict and achieve a diplomatic solution.’
The UK Foreign Office has now advised against all travel to Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Iran. A charter flight is being arranged to evacuate vulnerable British nationals from Tel Aviv once Israeli airspace allows.
British Airways also announced a temporary suspension of flights to Dubai and Doha due to regional instability. Affected passengers can rebook for free for travel up to July 6. UN Secretary-General António Guterres labelled the strikes a dangerous escalation, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Iran’s nuclear capability had been substantially damaged, though details remain limited.
The UK government continues to prioritise diplomatic channels, with Foreign Secretary Lammy having met US and Iranian officials in recent days.
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