Rachel Reeves has intensified her criticism of Donald Trump’s military action against Iran, describing the conflict as a “mistake” that has destabilised the global economy and eroded living standards. The British chancellor made the remarks while attending the CNBC Invest in America conference in Washington, where she called for the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to calm energy prices.
“I think it was a mistake to end those [talks with Iran] and to enter into conflict, because I’m not convinced that we are safer today than we were a few weeks ago,” Reeves said. Her comments came as she prepared to meet G7 finance ministers at the International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings, where the IMF warned that further escalation could trigger a global recession.
The chancellor argued that diplomacy, not conflict, was the best way to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. “There was a diplomatic channel open. The discussions, formal discussions, were happening,” she said, adding that the UK’s national interest demanded de-escalation.
Reeves’s remarks add to a growing strain between Downing Street and the White House. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced personal attacks from President Trump, who threatened to rip up the recent US-UK trade deal over Britain’s refusal to join offensive operations against Iran. Starmer told MPs he would “not yield” to such pressure.
Despite the tensions, Reeves insisted the “special relationship” remained intact. “Friends are allowed to disagree on things,” she said, noting that she and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent could still hold constructive talks. Bessent had earlier described the economic pain from the war as a “bit of pain” worth the long-term security. The IMF managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, called for an end to the conflict, stating, “The sooner it ends the better for everybody.”
