Starmer’s Bleak Warning About Impact Of Iran And Ukraine Wars

Keir Starmer has warned about the long-lasting impacts of the Iran and Ukraine wars, saying how the conflicts end could “define us for a generation”.

The prime minister was speaking as confusion remains over Donald Trump’s attempts to secure a ceasefire with Iran.

The White House is also still trying to force Ukraine to compromise with its aggressor Russia and end its four-year war.

The prime minister said the conflicts would have “huge implications” for the future and alter the global order.

Speaking to Sky News’ Electoral Dysfunction, he said both wars are “very serious, both of them with huge implications”.

“How they end and on what terms, could well define us for a generation,” Starmer said. “Both of them have those sorts of consequences.

“And that’s why it’s really important that we approach this with our values and principles.

“That’s what we’ve applied in Ukraine, and that’s what we’ve applied in Iran.”

The prime minister said the UK was helping put together a coalition of countries willing to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open, after Iran effectively closed the major shipping lane by targeting any ships using it.

“The consequences in terms of our economy are already there, it depends how long it lasts,” he said.

Starmer added that, if the Ukraine war ends on terms advantageous for Russia, that will of course “cause them to think they can do the same in the future”.

He said: “That’s a threat across Europe, and if the Iran conflict ends with greater economic harm, then that is going to be impactful – it’s already impactful on countries across the world. We need to see this in those terms.”

Asked to compare the current situation to a historical moment, the PM said: “I don’t think there’s been any time quite like this.”

He called it a “defining” moment and a “testing period” for the world.

But Starmer also insisted he would continue to work only in the British national interest.

His remarks come after Trump has repeatedly insulted the UK – and the PM directly – following Downing Street’s refusal to let Americans access British military bases to launch pre-emptive strikes on Iran.

The UK has since allowed the US to use its military sites for “limited and defensive” strikes against Iran, but the president is still furious at the UK for ever saying no.

The PM told Sky News: “Pressure is being put on me by many quarters, whether that was particular leaders in this country before they actually changed their mind pretty soon afterwards, some of the media in this country, but I’ve got to stay focused on what’s in the British national interest.”

He said while he always “wanted a good relationship” with Trump, he will not “waiver on this” as his core values are “irreducible”.

Insisting he will not “buckle”, he said: “I’m not going to back down. I’m absolutely clear about the values and the principles that I’m applying here. And anybody who thinks that I’m going to act in anything other than the British national interest…”