Starmer Avoids Iran Missile Question, Urges De-escalation

0:00On March 23rd, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer avoided a direct answer on whether Iran's missiles can now reach Britain, amid rising tensions in the Middle East. This came after Iran fired two missiles at the Diego Garcia Base last Friday, about 2,360 miles away. One got shot down by a U.S. warship while the others splashed into the ocean roughly 400 miles short. Israel pointed to the attack as proof that Iran could strike cities like London, Paris, or Berlin, pushing for wider involvement. UK ministers have brushed off worries about the country's missile defenses, saying they're up to the task. Starmer stressed there's no intelligence showing Britain as a target, but he's focused on protecting lives without jumping into the conflict. He made that clear during a morning broadcast, drawing a line between defense and escalation. Last night, Starmer had a 20-minute call with President Donald Trump, urging him to de-escalate and discussing ways to reopen the strait of Hormuz.

1:00Number 10 called it constructive, even as Trump shared a mocking comedy skit about Starmer online and criticized his caution. The UK has okayed U.S. defensive operations from bases like the Diego Garcia and extended support to clear the strait, but not for hitting civilian sites. With Trump's midnight deadline for Iran to comply or risk power plant strikes, the pressure he's building on all sides.