Keir Starmer calls for Iran to return to negotiating table
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John Swinney and Keir Starmer call for talks after US bombs Iran
John Swinney and Keir Starmer call for talks after US bombs Iran. Donald Trump launched US air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities overnight. UK was not involved in the strikes but was informed beforehand. First Minister called for the conflict to end, while the Prime Minister said Iran’s nuclear programme is a “grave threat” which the US military action would “alleviate’ US President Trump said the key nuclear sites had been “completely and fully obliterated”. US attacked three sites including the Fordo facility, which is buried deep underground.
Donald Trump launched US air strikes on the Iran’s nuclear facilities overnight.
Keir Starmer and John Swinney have called for diplomacy
John Swinney and Keir Starmer have called for talks after the US bombed Iran.
Donald Trump launched US air strikes on the Iran’s nuclear facilities overnight. The UK was not involved in the strikes but was informed beforehand.
The First Minister called for the conflict to end, while the Prime Minister said Iran’s nuclear programme is a “grave threat” which the US military action would “alleviate”.
Swinney said: “The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran.
“The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the UK Government must insist on that now.”
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Starmer said: “Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security.
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“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 US attacked three sites in Iran including the Fordo facility, which is buried deep underground.
US President Trump said the key nuclear sites had been “completely and fully obliterated”.
In an address to the nation from the White House, he warned there could be further strikes if Iran retaliates: “There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran.”
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned the attacks “will have everlasting consequences” and that Tehran “reserves all options” to retaliate.
The strikes followed a build-up of US military equipment, with B-2 stealth bombers – which are the only aircraft to carry a 30,000-pound bunker-buster bomb – reportedly used to target the underground facilities.
The aircraft have previously used the UK-US airbase on Diego Garcia, one of the Chagos Islands, but it is understood that was not involved in the strikes which hit Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz.
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The attack on Iran also involved US submarines, which launched around 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Trump joins Israel’s war on Iran, says nuclear sites destroyed
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calls the US strikes a “grave violation” of the UN charter, international law and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel warns people to seek cover from an Iranian missile barrage that appeared heavier than the salvoes fired in the past few days. At least 16 people were hurt in the morning barrage.
Hours after Trump joined Israel’s war on Iran by sending B-2 bombers to Iran, the Israeli military warned people to seek cover from an Iranian missile barrage that appeared heavier than the salvoes fired in the past few days.
“The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, calling the US strikes a “grave violation” of the UN charter, international law and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Israel’s ambulance service said at least 16 people were hurt in the morning barrage.
Trump, in a televised address to the US people, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, called the strikes a “spectacular military success” that had taken out Iran’s three principal nuclear sites: Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.
He warned Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to “peace”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on his “bold decision”, saying, “History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime, the world’s most dangerous weapons.”
Keir Starmer reacts to US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites
US President Donald Trump ordered the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites overnight, in a huge escalation of the Middle East crisis. The UK is believed not to be involved in the action, following the Prime Minister’s ongoing advocacy for conflict de-escalation. On Sunday morning Keir Starmer issued a statement saying: “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” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that the country “reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest and people”
US President Donald Trump ordered the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites overnight, in a huge escalation of the Middle East crisis
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Image: Getty Images )
American B-2 stealth bombers executed overnight strikes using bunker-busting missiles, targeting Iran’s Fordow nuclear site among others, in spite of worldwide calls for diplomatic resolution.
The UK is believed not to be involved in the action, following the Prime Minister’s ongoing advocacy for conflict de-escalation. On Sunday morning Keir Starmer issued a statement saying: “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.”
In recent remarks at the G7 summit held in Canada, Mr Starmer intimated that military entanglement by the US in the Israel-Iran dispute seemed unlikely. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
“There is nothing the President said that suggests he’s about to get involved in this conflict, on the contrary, the G7 statement was about de-escalation,” Mr Starmer reported to journalists last Tuesday.
Donald Trump communicated via Truth Social post-midnight: “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.” Everything we know about the bombings here.
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He added: “All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow.”
He also issued a warning to the Iranian regime, stating that any retaliation would be met “with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight”.
President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation (Image: Getty Images )
However, Iran vowed that the attack would have severe and long-lasting repercussions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that the country “reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest and people”.
Araghchi further stated: “The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations.”
He continued: “The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour.”
Global Reactions to US Strikes on Iran
The United States carried out attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated US President Donald Trump. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to ‘return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution’ UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the strikes a ‘dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge’ and called for an emergency meeting on Monday.. The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations. The top Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives accused Trump of pushing the United States toward war, calling the strikes ‘a potentially disastrous war,’ with “adverse consequences” for the Middle East and the world. The U.N. nuclear agency reported that it had not detected any increase in “off-site radiation levels” after the attacks.
The United States carried out attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday, joining Israel’s bombing campaign after days of speculation over US involvement in the conflict.
“Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,” Trump said in a televised address to the nation from the White House after the strikes.
Here is a roundup of the key reactions:
Israel: ‘Change History’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump, saying the attacks will “help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace.”
“Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,” Netanyahu said in a video message, adding that the attacks demonstrated “America has been truly unsurpassed.”
He also told Israelis that his promise to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “fulfilled.”
UK: ‘Stability is Priority’
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to “return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”
“Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat,” Starmer said on X, adding that “stability in the region is a priority.”
EU: ‘Step Back’
The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations.
“I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation,” Kallas wrote on X, adding Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation on Monday.
UN: ‘Dangerous Escalation’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the strikes a “dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge.”
“At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos,” Guterres said in a statement. “There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.”
The UN’s nuclear agency also reported that it had not detected any increase in “off-site radiation levels” after the attacks on the three nuclear sites in Iran.
The agency’s chief called for an emergency meeting Monday.
Iraq: ‘Grave Threat’
Iraq warned that the US attacks on its neighbor Iran’s nuclear facilities threaten peace and stability in the Middle East.
“This military escalation constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East and poses serious risks to regional stability,” said government spokesperson Basim Alawadi.
Saudi Arabia: ‘Exercise Restraint’
Saudi Arabia expressed “great concern” after the US air strikes on nuclear facilities in its neighbor, the “sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran.”
“The Kingdom underscores the need to exert all possible efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation,” the Saudi foreign ministry posted on X.
Hamas: ‘Brutal Aggression’
Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned the “blatant US aggression against the territory and sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
“This brutal aggression is a dangerous escalation,” Hamas said, calling the attack “a flagrant violation of international law, and a direct threat to international peace and security.”
Democrats: ‘Unilateral Military Action’
The top Democrat in the US House of Representatives accused Trump of pushing the United States toward war.
“President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East,” Congressman Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement.
“Donald Trump shoulders complete and total responsibility for any adverse consequences that flow from his unilateral military action.”
International community urges calm after US attack
International community urges calm after US attack on Iran. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called an emergency meeting for Monday. UN’s nuclear agency also reported that it had not detected any increase in “off-site radiation levels” after the attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran.Qatar, host of the biggest US military base in the Middle East, on Sunday said it feared serious repercussions after the attack.. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to “return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis” and that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation on Monday. The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called an emergency meeting for Monday after the US attack on Iran. Photo: Reuters
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called US air strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran a “dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge.”
“At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos,” Guterres said in a statement.
“There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.”
The UN’s nuclear agency also reported that it had not detected any increase in “off-site radiation levels” after the attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran. The agency’s chief called for an emergency meeting on Monday.
Qatar, host of the biggest US military base in the Middle East, on Sunday said it feared serious repercussions after the attacks.
The foreign ministry “warns that the current dangerous escalation in the region may lead to catastrophic consequences at both the regional and international levels”, a statement said.
“It calls on all parties to exercise wisdom, restraint, and to avoid further escalation.”
Saudi Arabia likewise expressed concern.
“The Kingdom underscores the need to exert all possible efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation,” the Saudi foreign ministry posted on X.
Iraq, meanwhile, warned that the airstrikes threaten the entire region.
“This military escalation constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East and poses serious risks to regional stability,” said government spokesperson Basim Alawadi.
For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated US President Donald Trump on the attacks, saying they will “help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace.”
“Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,” Netanyahu said in a video message, adding that the attacks demonstrated “America has been truly unsurpassed.”
He also told Israelis that his promise to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “fulfilled.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to “return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”
“Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat,” Starmer said on X, adding that “stability in the region is a priority.”
The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations.
“I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation,” Kallas wrote on X, adding Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation on Monday.
The United States had carried out attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday, joining Israel’s bombing campaign after days of speculation over US involvement in the conflict. (Agencies)