Keir Starmer to hold emergency Cobra meeting as he urges Iran deescalation

Cobra (Cabinet Office Briefing Room A) meetings are called in emergency scenarios including civil unrest and international conflicts.

Speaking about the attack, Starmer called for deescalation as he ponders the threat of all-out war.

“It is important that we now deescalate the situation, stabilise the region and get the parties back around the table to negotiate”, he said.

“I’ve been speaking with international leaders this morning to that end. I want to reassure the British public that we’re doing everything we can to stabilise the situation, to deescalate the situation and to get to a negotiated outcome.

“I’m very clear in my own mind that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. That is the greatest threat to stability in the region.”

Starmer was called to action after Trump decided to intervene in the Iran-Israel conflict.

The US struck three major bomb sites in Iran, meaning the country is now directly involved.

The US President said the strikes “totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities and has warned Tehran it must “make peace” or face “far greater” future attacks.

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Starmer said Britain had been informed of Trump’s decision, emphasising the country’s alliance with the US.

The Prime Minister was asked whether Britain would be ready to react militarily should Article 5 be invoked.

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Iran responding to America’s attack by striking back could see all of its Nato allies rushing to their defence, as per the terms of the cornerstone clause.

The Prime Minister refused to speculate on theoretical outcomes and instead reemphasised his call for Iran to deescalate.

“All of my focus is on deescalation”, he said.

“But I do want to reassure the public. We have taken all necessary measures to protect UK interest, UK personnel and to work with our allies to protect their interests as well.

“That’s what you would expect, but my focus is on de-escalation this situation and dealing with the threat that is that nuclear programme and getting the parties around the table to negotiate an outcome to this.”

Trump’s decision to act aggressively may have caught Starmer by surprise given his comments this week where he cast doubt over whether a US strike would happen.

Asked about Trump doing “exactly the opposite” to what he previously expected, Starmer responded: “It’s clearly a fast moving situation.

“There’s been a huge amount of discussions in the days since the G7 ended and the US has now taken the action to alleviate the threat that Iran’s nuclear program poses.

“My position throughout has been calling for deescalation. To get people around the table to negotiate a better outcome diplomatically.

“I’ve been talking to international leaders in recent days, but particularly intensely this morning, and will continue to do so during the course of today.”