Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon “shouldn’t be happening”, during his visit to the Middle East. In an article for the Guardian, he called for the Iran conflict to become a watershed moment for the UK’s future security, urging a fundamental reset to boost defence and strengthen ties with Europe.
Starmer’s comments echoed criticisms from Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defence Secretary John Healey, highlighting a potential rift with the US under Donald Trump. The Prime Minister dismissed arguments that the Lebanon strikes were not part of the ceasefire, stating it was “a matter of principles”. He also stressed the need for toll-free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting any levies.
Speaking in Bahrain, where he also visited Saudi Arabia and the UAE to shore up the ceasefire, Starmer criticised Israel’s intensified bombing, which has killed over 250 people. He told ITV: “That shouldn’t be happening. That should stop. That’s my strong view.” Healey echoed this, condemning the escalation and calling for the Israel-Lebanon conflict to be included in the ceasefire.
Starmer outlined a separate UK path, avoiding offensive military action and focusing on resilience. In his Guardian article, he wrote: “From the outset, I was clear Britain would not be drawn into offensive military action. And we were not.” He emphasised rebuilding European alliances and boosting defence investment as long-term measures.
The Prime Minister also hinted at closer EU ties, saying: “I’m clear in my mind that that means we must be closer to the EU… not just on defence and security but also on trade and energy.” Cooper was later to say there “must be no return to conflict” after the ceasefire.
