UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States as he traveled to the Gulf to meet with regional leaders. During his visit, he is expected to “discuss diplomatic efforts to support and uphold the ceasefire,” according to Downing Street. Starmer is scheduled to return to the UK on Friday.
The ceasefire follows escalating tensions in the region after former President Donald Trump warned that “a whole civilisation will die” if Iran did not halt hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Starmer described the agreement as “a moment of relief to the region and the world” and emphasized the importance of turning the temporary truce into a lasting peace.
Starmer’s Gulf trip also includes meetings with UK military personnel stationed in the region. Last week, the UK hosted a virtual summit with representatives from more than 40 countries to coordinate security measures for the Strait of Hormuz once the ceasefire takes effect. This was followed by a military planning conference on Tuesday.
Iran and the US agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire, just over an hour before Trump’s deadline for negotiations. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran would adhere to the ceasefire “if attacks against Iran are halted,” allowing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz during the period.
The conflict, which began in February when the US and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran over nuclear concerns, had caused a spike in global crude oil prices, affecting petrol and diesel costs worldwide.
Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly of the Conservative Party described the ceasefire as “an opportunity for Iran to make some serious choices” and urged that the two-week period not be wasted in moving toward long-term regional stability.
Starmer’s visit signals the UK’s active diplomatic engagement to maintain the ceasefire and support international security in a region critical to global energy flows.
