Rachel Reeves calls Trump’s Iran conflict a ‘mistake’ as she unleashes assault on US President
Chancellor Rachel Reeves criticised Donald Trump’s war against Iran as a ‘mistake’ during a speech in Washington, saying diplomatic talks should have continued instead of military action
Reeves has intensified her criticism of Trump
The war against Iran was a “mistake” and has not made the world a safer place, Rachel Reeves declared as she intensified her criticism of the US-Israeli military action.
The Chancellor, addressing an event in Washington, argued that diplomatic discussions to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon should have been permitted to proceed.
She condemned US President Donald Trump‘s decision to enter into warfare, which has led to Iran responding with attacks against Gulf states and the blocking of the crucial oil and gas shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a CNBC event in the US capital, Ms Reeves stated: “The question is not whether you like or dislike the Iranian regime – I strongly dislike the Iranian regime – but how to achieve the change that you want to achieve.”
She argued that Iran did not presently possess a nuclear weapon and the most effective method to stop the Tehran regime from obtaining one was through diplomacy rather than warfare.
The Chancellor continued: “There was a diplomatic channel open, conversations, formal discussions were happening.
“I think it was a mistake to end those and to enter into conflict, because I’m not convinced that we are safer today than we were a few weeks ago.”
She suggested there was uncertainty regarding the objectives of Mr Trump’s military campaign.
“If the aim is to now to get diplomatic negotiations, well, they were already happening before the conflict started,” Ms Reeves said.
“We’ve never been clear about what the goal of this conflict is, which is why the impacts in our economy, but also here in the US economy and around the world, and particularly for our allies in the Gulf, like Saudi and Qatar and the UAE, are so immense.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will spearhead discussions on a global effort to reopen and secure the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities cease.
Ms Reeves stated: “We are willing to play our part, but the Strait of Hormuz was open, there was no tolling, a few weeks ago.
“Yes, we want to get back there, but I’m not convinced that this conflict has made the world a safer place.”
