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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has responded to the escalating U.S.–Iran war, making it clear that Britain will not be drawn into a wider conflict, even as tensions with Donald Trump intensify.
This comes after Trump’s controversial “get your own oil” remark, where he slammed the UK and European allies for not backing the U.S. military campaign against Iran, triggering a fresh diplomatic rift.
Starmer, however, has doubled down on a de-escalation strategy, focusing on diplomacy and energy security rather than direct military involvement, even as global oil prices surge due to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz
#StarmerTrumpIranWar #UKPMIranWarStatement #TrumpMocksUKOil #USIranWarLatestNews #UKvsUSTensionsIran #StarmerRefusesIranWar #TrumpGetYourOwnOilUK #USIranConflictUpdate #UKUSDiplomaticTensions #MiddleEastWarIranUS #StraitOfHormuzOilCrisisUK #StarmerDeEscalationIranWar #TrumpCriticismEuropeIranWar #UKStanceIranWarLatest #UKUSIranConflict #StarmerTrumpClashIranWar #USUKTensionsIranWar #IranWarUKUSReaction #TrumpUKIranWarComment #UKIranWarResponse #USIranWarUKTensions #StarmerIranWarUpdate #UKUSGeopoliticsIran #TrumpIranWarEuropeCriticism #IranWarDiplomaticTensions
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This comes after Trump’s controversial “get your own oil” remark, where he slammed the UK and European allies for not backing the U.S. military campaign against Iran, triggering a fresh diplomatic rift.
Starmer, however, has doubled down on a de-escalation strategy, focusing on diplomacy and energy security rather than direct military involvement, even as global oil prices surge due to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz
#StarmerTrumpIranWar #UKPMIranWarStatement #TrumpMocksUKOil #USIranWarLatestNews #UKvsUSTensionsIran #StarmerRefusesIranWar #TrumpGetYourOwnOilUK #USIranConflictUpdate #UKUSDiplomaticTensions #MiddleEastWarIranUS #StraitOfHormuzOilCrisisUK #StarmerDeEscalationIranWar #TrumpCriticismEuropeIranWar #UKStanceIranWarLatest #UKUSIranConflict #StarmerTrumpClashIranWar #USUKTensionsIranWar #IranWarUKUSReaction #TrumpUKIranWarComment #UKIranWarResponse #USIranWarUKTensions #StarmerIranWarUpdate #UKUSGeopoliticsIran #TrumpIranWarEuropeCriticism #IranWarDiplomaticTensions
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NewsTranscript
00:02Good morning. The conflict in the Middle East has now entered a second month, and while we're
00:09working at pace for de-escalation and peace, it is now clear that the impact of this war
00:17will affect the future of our country. So today I want to reassure the British people
00:24that no matter how fierce this storm, we are well placed to weather it, and that we have
00:31a long-term plan to emerge from it, a stronger, a more secure nation. First, let me say once again,
00:43this is not our war. We will not be drawn into the conflict. That is not in our national interest.
00:53And the most effective way we can support the cost of living in Britain is to push for
01:00de-escalation in the Middle East and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is such a vital
01:07route for energy. To that end, we're exploring each and every diplomatic avenue that is available
01:14to us. The Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor have met their counterparts in the G7. The Defence
01:22Secretary has been in the Middle East speaking to our partners, and the UK has now brought together
01:2935 nations around our statement of intent to push as one for maritime security across the Gulf.
01:40And today I can announce that later this week, the Foreign Secretary will host a meeting that brings
01:48those nations together for the first time, where we will assess all viable diplomatic and political
01:55measures that we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships
02:02ships and seafarers, and resume the movement of vital commodities. Following that meeting,
02:09we will also convene our military planners to look at how we can marshal our capabilities and make the
02:17straight accessible and safe after the fighting has stopped. Because I do have to level with people on
02:26this. This will not be easy. I spoke with relevant business leaders in shipping, finance, insurance and energy supply
02:37in Downing Street on Monday. And they were clear with me, the primary challenge they face is not one of
02:45insurance, but one of safety and security of passage. So the fact is, we need all of this together. A
02:55united front of
02:56military strength and diplomatic activity, partnership with industry, so they too can mobilise once the fighting has stopped.
03:06And above all, clear and calm leadership. That is what this country is ready to provide. Because my guide from
03:17the start of this
03:18conflict has always been the British national interest. And freedom of navigation in the Middle East is in the British
03:27national
03:28national interest. Let me turn now to the impact at home. Because I know that this is causing huge concern.
03:38People turn on their
03:40television. They look at their screens. They say explosions, infrastructure blown up, aggressive rhetoric. They worry that the UK will
03:50be
03:50dragged into this. We won't. But I also know that people have a deep sense that this will affect their
04:00family and their
04:02household. They can see it at the petrol pumps. And they worry about their energy bills. It is the job
04:09of government to meet
04:11these moments, not just with immediate action, but also with clarity about our direction. That's what I remember about the
04:211970s, when my
04:23family could not pay every bill. We struggled through the energy shocks and the price rises of that decade. But
04:30we always believed in the
04:32end that Britain would secure a better future for us. And I think that's what's been lacking in the crises
04:41of the world. And I think that's what's been
04:41the case of recent years. And I'm not prepared to ask the British people once again, to go through a
04:49crisis, come out of it, and say,
04:54business as usual, back to the status quo. So, on our economy, on our energy, and on our defence, this
05:05time will be
05:06different. We will make Britain a fairer and more secure country. Because that hope is what is needed, as the
05:14country comes together. And because how we
05:18emerge from this crisis will define us for a generation. So, as I set out a few weeks ago, we
05:27have a five-point plan for the immediate crisis. We're
05:31cutting energy bills by over £100 per household today. We've extended the cut in fuel duty until September. And we're
05:41monitoring that situation daily. We're supporting people exposed to heating oil rises, setting aside £53 million for that. We're
05:50taking back control of our energy security by investing in clean British energy. Because that is the only way we
05:59get your bills off the
06:00rollercoaster that is controlled by Putin and the Iranian regime. And frankly, I'm sick and tired of your energy bills
06:07fluctuating up and down. Because we're on the
06:11international market. When if we took control of our energy, and had homegrown renewables, we could stabilise your bills. And
06:21finally, as I say, we'll continue to push for
06:24escalation in the Middle East. But look, there's also a bigger argument here. Because every one of these measures is
06:34part of a long term plan to make our
06:36country more secure, more resilient to shocks like this. I mean, just look at what's happening today. Today, your energy
06:46bills will be cut, because of the
06:48action that we took the action that we took at the budget. And whatever happens in Iran, that price is
06:54now fixed until July. Today, if you need a
06:58prescription, instead of rising as they used to, the price will be frozen for a year. Today, if you're working
07:06on the national living wage, your wages
07:09will go up. Next week, on Monday, the state pension will go up. Next week, the two-child limit will
07:17be scrapped, lifting
07:18450,000 children out of poverty, the vast majority from working households. And next week, the biggest strengthening of
07:27workers' rights in a generation will become law, a huge boost to the economic security of working people. Now, some
07:36people may say, this
07:38isn't new. This was already planned. To which I say, yes, that is my point. Everything I've done in politics,
07:50certainly since the
07:51Ukraine war in 2022, is a response to this new and dangerous world. We campaigned for a windfall tax on
07:59oil and gas
08:00companies, which we extended. We focused on the cost of living and we acted at the budget. And we've always
08:08emphasized the need for
08:10clean British energy. And we've invested because we knew that making our country secure in this world was the ultimate
08:19test that we would
08:20face and our ultimate responsibility to the British people. Now, it's not going to be easy, clearly. And in the
08:31coming weeks, as you
08:33would expect, we will continue to assess the economic effects. We will continue to stand up for the British national
08:40interest. And we
08:42continue to do what we must to guide our country calmly through this storm. However, it is increasingly clear that
08:53as the world
08:54continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with
09:05the
09:05European Union. Now, we have made progress on this front on agriculture, electricity, emissions trading, and more. But as the
09:16Chancellor has rightly pointed out, Brexit did deep damage to our economy. And the opportunities to strengthen our security and
09:27cut the
09:27cost of the cost of living are simply too big to ignore. So in the coming weeks, we will announce
09:35a new summit with our EU
09:37partners. And I can tell you that at that summit, the UK will not just ratify existing commitments made at
09:45last year's
09:46summit. We want to be more ambitious, closer economic cooperation, closer security cooperation, a
09:57partnership that recognises our values, our shared interest, and our shared future. A partnership for the dangerous world
10:07that we must navigate together. A world where this government will be guided at all times by the interests of
10:16the British
10:17people. Thank you. I will now take questions. And I have the BBC first, Henry.
10:26Thank you, Prime Minister. And as it stands, fuel duty is set to go up in September. You've said that's
10:32under
10:32review. I think today you said you were monitoring it. It is very hard to find anyone here in Westminster
10:37who
10:38seriously believes that you are going to press ahead with that. So if today was about reassurance, why don't you
10:43just give motorists that little bit of reassurance now and tell them it's not going to go up?
10:48Well, fuel duty is set until September, as you rightly say, in terms of the cut. That will remain the
10:57position.
10:58The other measures that we're taking today, obviously energy bills are going down today, on average by £100 a household.
11:04And that will remain down until the end of June. Whatever happens in the conflict, I know people are concerned
11:09to know that that remains the case.
11:11Whatever happens in the conflict. So let me be clear about that. And those that are heating their homes with
11:17oil are obviously getting support.
11:19We are keeping this under review. Obviously, a lot will depend on how long the conflict goes on, how quickly
11:26the Strait of Hormuz can be opened.
11:27And that's why I've made the statement I have today about the next step that we're taking, particularly on the
11:33Strait of Hormuz, which will be crucial in terms of what actually happens to energy prices and how long there's
11:41a spike in those prices.
11:42So that's the action that we're taking today. I've got ITV, Harry. Harry.
11:47Thank you, Prime Minister. Harry Horton from ITV News.
11:50President Trump has said this morning that he's considering pulling the US out of NATO.
11:56You've just talked about looking at a new long-term partnership with the EU, including on security.
12:02Is this an acknowledgement that Britain's long-term security relationship with the United States is about to change?
12:09Well, let me say a number of things in response to that.
12:11Firstly, NATO is the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen.
12:17And it has kept us safe for many decades. And we are fully committed to NATO.
12:24Secondly, that whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I'm going to act in the British national
12:34interest in all the decisions that I make.
12:36And that's why I've been absolutely clear that this is not our war or we're not going to get dragged
12:40into it.
12:41But I'm equally clear that when it comes to defence and security and our economic future, we have to have
12:48closer tries with Europe.
12:49That's why we had the summit last year. This year, as I've just announced, there'll be a further summit.
12:55There, we will make good on the commitments that we put in place last year.
13:00But we will also go further in relation to the alignment.
13:05Thank you very much, Harry. I've got Lucy from Sky.
13:09Lucy.
13:09Thank you, Prime Minister. You're talking here, of course, today about the cost of living.
13:14You said yourself, nothing in this speech is new.
13:17You've got the Australian Prime Minister earlier talking about slashing tax on petrol and diesel, telling people not to use
13:23more than they need.
13:24Can you be really clear to people at home listening to this?
13:29Should they be looking at changing their behaviours now?
13:31Well, in terms of the situation, we're monitoring it carefully.
13:36We had a Cobra meeting looking at the ongoing impacts here in Britain yesterday.
13:41That is being monitored daily.
13:43I had the business sector in on Monday to discuss with them.
13:48And this was shipping, finance, insurance to discuss with them mainly how we deal with the Strait of Hormuz, how
13:56quickly we can get action there to get the supply open or fully open.
14:02And that is what we are doing.
14:04They're decisions that we think are right here.
14:06And we will continue to do that.
14:10But I emphasise, again, it's clear to me that the main determinant now of the impact is going to be
14:18how long the conflict goes on and the question of how quickly we can get safe passage through the Strait
14:25of Hormuz.
14:25And the two don't necessarily go together.
14:28In other words, I don't think it can necessarily be assumed that a de-escalation of the conflict necessarily at
14:37the same time brings the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
14:41And that's why we're moving to the next level of planning in relation to the Strait of Hormuz.
14:44We've been dealing with this for some time, but now we move to the next stage with the Foreign Secretary
14:49meeting coming up later this week.
14:52The first time we've convened that coalition, if you like, of countries to look at diplomatic means, political means, and
15:00then the military planners coming together at a separate meeting to look at capabilities.
15:05Thank you very much, Andy.
15:07And I should say, Andy, congratulations to your daughter on the gold medal, I think, that she's just got.
15:12Thank you very much.
15:13Thank you, Prime Minister.
15:14Prime Minister, actually, following on partly from Lucy's question, I mean, in other parts of the world, there is much
15:19more of a sense of leaders,
15:22preparing their populations to say, this is hard, you may have to do things differently.
15:27Yet from your government so far, we've heard, behaviour is normal, even book your summer holidays as normal.
15:32Isn't it time maybe to address the British people and say, perhaps we have to start thinking about our behaviour
15:38in a different way?
15:38Well, a number of points in response to that.
15:41Firstly, there are a number of measures we're taking.
15:43The direct measures in relation to energy price, the support for oil, fuel duty.
15:49The wider measures, most of which come in either today or this week on the cost of living,
15:54which are not a response to this particular conflict, but are a response to the fact that the cost of
15:59living has been the number one issue in our country for a very long time.
16:03And I'm conscious that whatever's going on in the world, whatever's going on in politics, that remains the number one
16:08issue.
16:09In relation to the situation, we are monitoring it very carefully on a daily basis.
16:15And our assessment looks at supply, looks at the impact on our economy, and we'll keep the measures we've got
16:24in place at the moment.
16:26I'm absolutely convinced that the most important thing is de-escalation.
16:30The most important thing is getting the Strait of Hormuz back fully open, and that's why we're putting a lot
16:35of effort into the next stage of that and really pushing forward.
16:38And as I've said, we're prepared to take a sort of leadership role in that as the United Kingdom in
16:45relation to the Straits of Hormuz.
16:46Thank you, Andy.
16:47I've got Paul for Channel 4.
16:49Paul.
16:51Morning, Prime Minister.
16:52Look, most of the measures you're talking about were already in place before this war kicked off.
16:57So far, you seem reluctant to talk about specifics for help because of this war, and the criticism is that
17:05you've been dithering.
17:06So, have you been dithering, or yes or no?
17:09Do you have in mind a fixed set of plans for the hardest hit by the cost of living crisis
17:14caused by this war?
17:16And if so, when can we expect to hear them?
17:18What are the key indicators that will make you say, this is what we've got planned for you?
17:22Yeah, let me just answer that.
17:23Firstly, a lot of the measures on the cost of living were measures that were taken at the budget last
17:28year, so we were ahead of this.
17:31Most people will be watching on their screens, worried about the damage they're seeing, the explosions they're seeing, the conflict.
17:38But they will also have this deep feeling inside, this could affect me.
17:41And what they mean by that is it could have an effect on the cost of living.
17:45We've been saying the cost of living is the single number one issue for a very long time.
17:49So, it's not a coincidence that the measures coming into force today are on the cost of living, because I've
17:55been clear that that is the central issue.
17:57And that is the, I think, for most people in the country, that's the thing they're probably worrying most about
18:02today.
18:02So, we're actually ahead of the game in relation to that, because we took those measures at the budget.
18:08The only reason energy bills are coming down today by an average of £100 is because of the measures that
18:12we took at the budget, and they'll be down for three months.
18:15So, those measures have been taken.
18:18In relation to what might be needed later in the year, obviously, we're working through contingencies.
18:22A lot of it will depend on how long the conflict goes on, how quickly the straits are open, because
18:28it's very difficult to assess at the moment what might be needed, say, in the winter, until we know the
18:33answer to that question.
18:34So, we're looking at a number of contingencies, as you would expect.
18:39I think it's important to point out that whilst there will always be a concern about energy bills, I think
18:46people will begin to really worry when it gets to the autumn energy bill,
18:50because the summer bill, which is the next one, tends to be, on average, about 7% of the energy
18:55people use.
18:56It doesn't mean they're not worried about it, but I think most people will be looking to what's the one
19:00that comes when it gets colder later in the year.
19:02So, we're working across all of that, but in the end, the focus has to be on de-escalation and
19:09getting the strait open,
19:10and that begins to answer the question of what is the nature of any support that may be needed.
19:15Clearly, we want to make sure that we act for everybody in keeping the price down, the cost down,
19:20and today's measure on energy bills is a measure for everyone.
19:23But equally, in terms of tailoring support, we need to make sure that nobody is left behind here.
19:30Thank you very much, Paul.
19:31Natasha from LBC.
19:33Natasha.
19:35Natasha from LBC.
19:36The head of the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein,
19:41has called on the King to meet those victims.
19:43Do you think there is a moral case for doing so?
19:46And if I may, you've obviously outlined today on the course of the living all of what you're doing,
19:50which I'm sure listeners will welcome, but just 10% of the public think that the government is doing well.
19:55Why do you think that might be?
19:56Well, let me deal with the important point you make at the end there,
20:00because one of the things that's really important for me to get across to the public
20:05is that their bills are coming down by £100 on average,
20:08and they're staying down until the end of June, whatever happens in the conflict.
20:12And I repeat that for a reason, and that is because I'm not sure everybody has heard that.
20:18It is really important for them to hear it,
20:20and I want as many people as possible to know that that's the case,
20:23because I know they're going to be anxious.
20:25And when I have said it to people, there's been the secondary question is,
20:28is that actually going to hold, even if the conflict goes on?
20:31And the answer to that question is yes.
20:33So my job is to make sure that I get that across to the public,
20:36because that is the measure that comes into effect today.
20:39In relation to the kink, I think it's important to appreciate,
20:44this is part of the 250 celebrations that are in place.
20:50So it's a long-planned visit, and the US and UK, our close allies,
20:56have been for a very, very long time.
20:58But this is a visit that, as I say, has been long-planned
21:03and is part of the 250 celebrations.
21:05That's where the focus of the visit will be.
21:07Thank you very much.
21:08Gabriel Nussbaum, please.
21:10Hi. Good morning, Prime Minister.
21:11I'd like to zoom out a little bit to the wider elements of the cost of living crisis,
21:17specifically the one affecting the young generation,
21:19who were simply told, go to university, get a job, buy a house.
21:24We see today houses on average eight times salary,
21:27student loans, very relevant at the moment.
21:30Jobs are either unavailable for young people,
21:32or if they are, there's no security.
21:34The pension system compared to previous generations is completely different.
21:37Salaries not keeping up with the cost of living crisis,
21:39and childcare costs through the roof, putting people off or delaying starting families.
21:44I'd love to ask you to share a message to this young generation,
21:48perhaps more to look at an element of hope and confidence looking forward to the future.
21:53Yeah, well, let me give that, and let me tell our young people we've got their back.
21:57And all of the points you raise are really important,
22:00whether it's home ownership, where the average age of home ownership has gone up,
22:05because of the inaction of the last government.
22:07That's why we're building more homes.
22:08On childcare, childcare is now free from nine months to four years,
22:14makes a huge difference for young people with young children.
22:18In terms of the money it saves them, their ability to get back to work.
22:22And on that cushion of getting into work,
22:23we're putting in place what we call a youth guarantee,
22:26which is a strong support from the government
22:29government to help people into work and support them into work.
22:33Because all the evidence is if they are able to get into work,
22:37even for a relatively short period,
22:39the likelihood is that they will then go on from there with a secure job into the future.
22:43So all of those measures are in place.
22:45But it's really important you highlight the impact on young people,
22:48who I think will feel that they've been let down over the last decade and a half.
22:51And we need to put that right.
22:53Thank you very much.
22:54I've got Jessica from The Guardian.
22:56Jessica.
22:57Good morning, Prime Minister.
22:59I wanted to pick up some of what you said about close relationships with Europe.
23:02Do you believe, you said before,
23:04that you don't think it's right for the UK to rejoin the customs union.
23:07Are we heading towards more of a rejoining of the single market?
23:11Is that something you think would improve Britain's economic future?
23:15Well, I do think that we should strengthen our cooperation on defence,
23:21security, energy, emissions and the economy.
23:24And on the economy, the steps we've taken so far have been in relation to the single market.
23:32And I'm ambitious that we can do more in relation to the single market,
23:36because I think that's hugely in our economic interests.
23:41Obviously, this is a matter of negotiation and discussion with the EU.
23:45But the summit we have this year will not just be a stocktake summit,
23:50where we look at actually the 10 strands that we put in place last year.
23:54It will be a deliberate ambition on our part to go further than that
23:58and to cooperate more deeply, including in the economic sphere.
24:02So thank you, Jessica.
24:03I've got Jack from The Sun.
24:05Hi, Prime Minister.
24:06Jack Elson from The Sun.
24:06Can I just pick up on that point?
24:08Do your manifesto commitments not to rejoin the customs union,
24:11free movement or single market still stand?
24:14And you've previously said from this podium
24:17that you wouldn't be forced to choose between
24:19tethering Britain closer to either Europe or America.
24:23But it does seem that you are engaging with closer negotiations with Europe
24:26and you have a deteriorating personal relationship with Donald Trump.
24:30So is it fair that you are actually choosing Europe over America?
24:33Well, manifesto commitments remain, but we made it clear in the manifesto
24:38that we wanted a closer relationship with Europe.
24:41So that is perfectly consistent with our manifesto.
24:44I'm not going to choose because I think it's in our interest
24:47to have a strong relationship with the US and with Europe.
24:50But I do think that when it comes to defence and security,
24:54energy emissions and the economy,
24:56we need a stronger relationship with Europe.
24:58I actually think that will help strengthen our relationship with the US
25:01because successive presidents have said that Europe needs to do more
25:07on their defence and security.
25:09I've long argued that with European colleagues,
25:12that we should be doing more.
25:14And that's not just, for example, on defence spend,
25:18although it is on defence spend.
25:20It's also on how we spend, how we collaborate, cooperate.
25:24And that's why I've focused on deals, for example,
25:28that we've done with Norway in relation to frigates.
25:30Really good deal, very good for trade, very good jobs in the Clyde.
25:33But really importantly, interoperability of the frigates.
25:36We can have our crews on their frigates.
25:39They can have their crews on our frigates.
25:41That, to me, is the future of a stronger European defence,
25:45which is bringing together the capability that we've had.
25:47So we don't just get each country developing its own capability.
25:51It's an ongoing discussion.
25:52I spoke at the Munich conference about it.
25:55I spoke at the Jeff meeting about it last week in Finland,
25:59that we have to go beyond just a numbers game
26:02and be much more integrated in the way that we work on defence and security.
26:06Thank you, Jack.
26:07And I've got Joe from Bloomberg.
26:09Joe.
26:09President Trump said yesterday that he wouldn't come to the aid of the UK anymore
26:15in his true social post.
26:16How seriously do you take that threat from our main ally?
26:19Well, it's very important that we're clear there's been a good deal of pressure on me
26:26to change my position in relation to joining the war.
26:30And I'm not going to change my position on the war.
26:33So whatever the pressure, whatever the noise,
26:36I'm the British Prime Minister and I have to act in our national interests.
26:42I should say that on defence and security and intelligence,
26:44we're obviously working closely with the US, as we always do.
26:48And in relation to the planning on the Strait of Hormuz,
26:52of course that involves talking to the Americans as well.
26:55So as I say, whatever the pressure, whatever the noise,
26:59my job is as British Prime Minister to concentrate on what's in the British national interest.
27:05That's what's guided me through this conflict so far.
27:07It will continue to guide me as we go forward.
27:09Thank you very much indeed.
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