UK PM Starmer Backs U.S. Strikes on Iran, Emphasizes Diplomatic Path Amid Escalating Conflict

London, June 22, 2025 — As the Israel-Iran conflict enters its second week with global ramifications, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has thrown his weight behind U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to launch “massive precision” strikes on Iran. Starmer described Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a “grave threat” and insisted that Tehran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Starmer said, “Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”

The British leader’s remarks follow intense airstrikes by the U.S. military on three key Iranian nuclear sites, including the underground Fordow facility. The U.S. action came in response to Iranian drone and missile attacks on Israeli infrastructure as part of Operation True Promise 3, which Iran launched after Israel’s own offensive, Operation Rising Lion, on June 13.

Despite the scale of the strikes, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported no significant increase in off-site radiation levels. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi confirmed an emergency meeting scheduled for Monday to assess the impact of the attacks and ensure nuclear safety standards have not been compromised.

Iran, however, issued a strong condemnation of the strikes, calling them a breach of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and international law. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) accused the IAEA of turning a blind eye, alleging the agency displayed “indifference and even complicity.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the U.S. intervention, describing Trump’s decision as “historic” and saying it would change the strategic balance in the region.

Meanwhile, the conflict continues to spiral. The Israeli Air Force launched new airstrikes on Iranian military positions in western Iran after Iranian missile attacks injured Israeli civilians. With the U.S. now formally engaged, regional tensions have reached a critical point, prompting widespread calls for de-escalation.

While backing military measures, the UK has urged diplomatic engagement, with Starmer making it clear that long-term peace must come through negotiation, not escalation.