Keir Starmer Condemns Israeli Strikes on Lebanon and Calls for Ceasefire

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that Israeli military strikes in Lebanon shouldn’t be happening and described the attacks as wrong. Speaking during a visit to the Middle East on April 9, 2026, the Prime Minister called for the strikes to stop following the announcement of a truce in the Iran war.

The Prime Minister’s comments come amid intensified bombing in Lebanon, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 250 people. Starmer’s condemnation aligns with criticisms voiced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defence Secretary John Healey.

Diplomatic Split Over Ceasefire Terms

The UK’s position highlights a widening diplomatic gap between the British government and the United States under Donald Trump regarding the aftermath of the Iran conflict. A primary point of contention is whether the ceasefire agreement extends to Lebanon.

According to reporting from The Telegraph, both the Israeli government and Donald Trump insist that Lebanon is not covered by the ceasefire agreement. Conversely, Iran maintains that Lebanon is included in the terms of the truce.

UK ministers have communicated to the US administration that Lebanon must be included in the ceasefire deal between the US and Iran.

Strait of Hormuz and Commercial Shipping

Beyond the strikes in Lebanon, Keir Starmer and his ministers have focused on the status of the strait of Hormuz. The UK government has been adamant that the strait must remain free of any levies or tolls.

This stance follows a proposal by Donald Trump regarding a joint venture between the United States and Iran to implement such charges. The UK is instead pushing for the full reopening of the strait to commercial shipping.

Starmer’s current diplomatic tour includes talks in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, including a stop in Abu Dhabi, as well as speaking in Bahrain. These discussions are intended to shore up the tentative ceasefire between Israel, the US, and Iran.

UK Security and Strategic Reset

In an article written for The Guardian, Keir Starmer argued that the conflict with Iran serves as a warning and should be viewed as a watershed moment for the future security of the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister stated that the UK’s response to the crisis must involve a fundamental reset to increase national resilience. This strategy includes:

• Boosting national defence capabilities.
• Establishing closer security links with European allies.

Starmer indicated that building this resilience, both domestically and through partnerships in Europe, is essential for the UK’s long-term security in light of the instability seen during the Iran war.