United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ruled out direct involvement of the UK troops in the ongoing Iran conflict.
According to the PM, the attacks on Iran and those by the Iranians on other states are not the concern of the UK.
The PM has stated that the UK is taking defensive action to protect the British citizens and the allies of the UK in the war regions.
“This is not our war, and we’re not going to get drawn into it,” Starmer stated, as covered by the Al Jazeera English.
Britain will, however, continue to provide support in the effort to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz without directly and actively getting into the Iranian conflict, according to the PM.
In addition, the use of British bases by the US for strikes targeting Iranian sites linked to threats in the Strait of Hormuz is still approved by the UK government.
Despite the PM ruling out the sending of British troops to Iran, the UK has deployed fighter jets to intercept Iranian projectiles.
Response from the PM followed the potential launch of a military operation against Iran by the United States President Donald Trump to seize Iran’s Kharg Island.
Downing Street stated that the UK is in discussions with the US at all levels over its war on Iran, but would not provide support for Washington’s operation.
“We will continue to focus, as the prime minister has done, on British national interests, protecting people in the region, doing what we can to protect households from the impact here in the UK, and working with international allies,” Starmer’s official spokesperson noted.
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Actions by Keir Starmer on Opening the Strait of Hormuz
Keir is expected to meet energy and business bosses in Downing Street to discuss the importance of reopening the key oil route as the government assesses the economic fallout of the war.
In addition, the PM will chair the Cobra meeting on March 31 to discuss how the ongoing conflict is impacting households and businesses across Britain.
Trump Critique of the British PM
Donald Trump has issued critiques of the British PM and NATO states that have refused to join the US in the war against Iran.
Speaking at a televised White House meeting, Trump lashed out at NATO for not taking any action to support his military operation and aimed at the UK’s aircraft carriers.
Also Read:Â Starmer Defends UK Stance on Iran War, Defies Trump Pressure and Criticism
Iran’s Response to the US’s Potential Military Operation
Iran has threatened to retaliate violently if the US troops launch a ground invasion on the Islamic Republic’s territory.
Speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Tehran is “waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire”, in a published message broadcast on Iranian state media, including the official IRNA news agency.
Additionally, Iran threatened to intensify attacks against the Gulf states and all regional partners.
On the other hand, Houthi rebels in Yemen have continued to attack Israel, launching a second wave of missiles on the country less than 24 hours.
On March 29, the European Union’s maritime security body warned ships to avoid entering Yemeni territorial waters as the Houthis could resume.
