British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 1 April, addressing the nation regarding the conflict in the Middle East, said that “this is not our war” and, “we will not be drawn into the conflict.”
“It’s not in our national interest. And the most effective way to maintain the cost of living in Britain is to insist on de-escalation in the Middle East and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is such a vital route for energy,” he said.
Starmer, however, noted that the war would affect Britain’s future.
“So today I want to reassure the British people that no matter how ferocious this storm is, we are well placed to weather it, and that we have a long-term plan to emerge from it a stronger and safer nation,” the prime minister added.
“Whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the hype, I am going to act in the best interests of the UK in every decision I make,” he emphasised.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said he was seriously considering the United States’ withdrawal from NATO after the alliance members failed to join military action against Iran. He said in an interview with The Telegraph distributed on 1 April.
“I always knew that they are” a paper tiger “, and Putin, by the way, knows it too,” Trump said, noting that the United States is actively involved in conflicts that, in his opinion, do not concern it directly, but other NATO members do not come to Washington’s aid.
The U.S. leader also praised comments by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who earlier this week said the United States would have to reassess its relationship with NATO once the war with Iran is over.
In an interview with Al Jazeera TV, Rubio expressed disappointment that a number of European NATO member states have refused to support the conflict with Iran at the request of the United States.
President Donald Trump said on 31 March that the United States could halt its military action against Iran within two to three weeks. He again noted that there might be a deal with Iran, but added that it was not a necessary condition for the United States to withdraw from the war it has been waging with Israel since 28 February.
White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said that Trump will address the nation on the evening of 1 April (night vs. 2 April Kiev time) regarding developments around Iran. According to her, he will provide “important information” on the progress of the war.
US President Donald Trump has asked NATO to help guarantee the security of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the world’s oceans, since the US-Israeli military operation began on 28 February. The strait is of strategic importance as it is the route through which oil from the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf flows to the world market.
Several European countries that are NATO members have said they are willing to consider providing assistance once the conflict is over, while others have categorically rejected the request.