Starmer confirms military buildup in Middle East as Europe urges restraint
Source: Politico (EU)
June 15, 2025 1:37 pm CET
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the United Kingdom is building up its forces in the Middle East in response to Israel and Iran’s war — as he and other European politicians continued to implore both sides to de-escalate.
Speaking on his way to the G7 summit in Canada, which starts Sunday, he said: “We are moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support in the region. I will be clear-eyed in relation to our duties and obligations, and my duties as the prime minister of the United Kingdom.”
Starmer said that after speaking to numerous world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, there are widespread fears of escalation, according to The Times. His announcement came after Iranian media reported that Tehran had warned the U.S., the U.K. and France that it would strike their military bases and naval vessels if they chose to defend Israel against its retaliatory strikes.
“We do have long-standing concerns about the nuclear program that Iran has, and we do recognize Israel’s right to self-defense,” he said on the plane to the G7 on Saturday. “But I am absolutely clear that this needs to de-escalate.”
Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-france-u-k-ready-to-talk-with-iran/
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