Keir Starmer will travel to the Middle East on Wednesday to meet with Gulf partners and discuss diplomatic efforts to support a two-week ceasefire.
The PM welcomed the overnight news that Donald Trump has called off strikes on civilian infrastructure in the country. The US President agreed to a two-week ceasefire on the condition that shipping is allowed to move through the Strait of Hormuz.
The PM said: “I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world. Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz.”
Mr Trump suspended his threat to strike power plants and bridges in Iran fewer than two hours before his deadline of 1am GMT Wednesday morning. On Tuesday, the erratic politician issued an apocalyptic warning that “a whole civilisation will die” unless Tehran met his demands.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke with US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Tuesday evening after Mr Trump posted his stark warning. The pair discussed international efforts and diplomatic measures to open the Strait of Hormuz, including a UK-led meeting which brought together more than 40 countries to pursue reopening.
Ms Cooper is thought to have urged a swift end to the conflict and gave the UK’s backing to negotiations and efforts to prevent further escalation.
Tehran’s effective blockade of the Strait, a narrow sea passage out of the Persian Gulf, where some 20% of the world’s oil ordinarily passes through each day, has sent global oil prices spiralling.
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