Starmer Criticizes US-Israel Strikes, Defends Base Access

0:00On March 4, U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer finally laid out the government's position on the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. He made it clear he disagrees with President Donald Trump on the approach, calling the attacks misguided and likely unlawful. At the same time, he defended allowing the U.S. to use British air bases for targeted strikes on Iranian missile sites to protect allies in the Gulf. Earlier this week, both the Defense Secretary and Foreign Secretary struggled to explain the U.K. stance publicly. Starmer stepped in during a two-and-a-half-hour session in the House of Commons, drawing lessons from their Iraq war more than 20 years ago, too. Underlined his caution against broader military escalation. Reactions in parliament split along party lines. Most labor members backed the Prime Minister's balanced view, while conservatives in reform U.K. pushed for stronger support of the U.S. and Israel. Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Scottish National Party members criticized Trump more sharply.

1:00A recent U.Gov poll shows most Britons oppose both the U.S. strikes and the base-access decision. Public opinion leans against involvement, but the government insists it will keep working closely with the U.S. Meanwhile, the strikes have spiked oil and gas prices, adding pressure on the economy just as Chancellor Rachel Rees prepares her spring statement. Today, this low-key update on economic forecasts will stress stability and growth amid these fresh international tensions with the full fallout from the membering. Complex still unfolding. Complex still unfolding. Complex still unfolding. Complex still unfolding. Complex still unfolding. Complex still unfolding. Complex still unfolding. Complex still unfolding.