Keir Starmer Admits Iran War Will Impact UK’s Future

Keir Starmer had admitted the months ahead will “not be easy” as the impact of the Iran war hits the UK.

Iran continues to effectively block the major shipping lane, the Strait of Hormuz, which carries around a fifth of the world’s oil supply, a month on from the US-Israel strikes.

The move has rocked the global economy and put a strain on fuel as the cost of oil skyrockets.

Amid worries about how the cost of living will increase in the coming months, the prime minister sought to reassure the public that the government is taking action.

After pointing to pre-announced measures such as the increase to the National Living Wage and the reduction in the energy price cap until July, Starmer told a press conference on Wednesday the times ahead will “not be easy”.

But, he added that “while we’re working at pace for de-escalation and peace, it is now clear that the impact of this war will affect the future of our country.”

“I want to reassure the British people that no matter how fierce this storm, we are well-placed to weather it and that we have a long-term plan to emerge from it a stronger and more secure nation,” the prime minister said.

After US president Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Britain for not joining the American strikes on Iran, Starmer also repeated his phrase that “this is not our war”.

He claimed the UK will not be drawn into it because “that is not in our national interest”, adding that the “most effective way” to reduce the cost of living is for deescalation.

However, Starmer did not tell the general public to change their behaviours in response to the war in Iran, unlike other international leaders who are encouraging citizens to reduce their fuel consumption.

He said he is monitoring the situation “carefully”, adding: “We had a COBRA meeting looking at the ongoing impacts here in Britain yesterday – that is being monitoring daily.”

He said he is making decisions that “we think are right” with business leaders from different sectors on how to respond to the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

“But I emphasise again, it’s clear to me that the main determinant now of the impact is going to be how long the conflict goes on and the question of how quickly we can get safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Starmer said.

“The two don’t necessarily go together.”

The PM also suggested the government was focusing on its allies in Europe, after Trump threatened to leave Nato and said the Royal Navy was “too old”.

The prime minister said: “As the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and the European Union.”