Politics newest: Starmer to ship extra UK fighter jets to Qatar however rejects strain to affix Iran-US conflict | EUROtoday

Political writer Athena Stavrou reports:

Sir Keir Starmer has defended his decision to not launch offensive strikes against Iran.

Giving an update from Downing Street, the prime minister said he would make decisions based on the “national interest” and said: “It means having the strength to stand firm by our values and principles – no matter the pressure to do otherwise.”

It comes after he has received heavy criticism from Donald Trump and other key allies that Britain has not responded fast enough.

Sir Keir reiterated that the British position is that the “finest approach ahead” is to come to a negotiated settlement with Iran.

The first charter flight from Oman “took off a couple of minutes in the past”, Sir Keir Starmer said.

The Prime Minister said: “More than 4,000 folks have now arrived again within the United Kingdom on business flights from the UAE, together with susceptible Brits recognized by our groups.

“A further seven flights are due to leave the UAE for the UK today, and I can report that our first charter flight from Oman took off a few minutes ago.

“We will lay on further constitution flights within the coming days.

“British Airways is putting on daily flights from Oman, and we will keep working with all of our partners to increase the speed and capacity of this airlift.

“I need to be very clear, it is a large enterprise.”

Sir Keir Starmer said he was focused on “offering calm, level-headed management within the nationwide curiosity” amid the war in the Middle East.

Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, the Prime Minister said he had chaired a Cobra meeting on Thursday morning, adding: “I do know that individuals are apprehensive sick about their household and buddies who’re caught up on this, concerning the influence on our lives and our economic system, and concerning the potential for even larger escalation.

“They can hardly believe that, yet again, we are seeing missiles and drones falling and civilians in the firing line across the region.

“So, I need to reassure the British public concerning the motion that we’re taking whereas the area has been plunged into chaos.

“My focus is providing calm, level-headed leadership in the national interest.

“That means deploying our navy and diplomatic power to guard our folks, and it means having the power to face agency by our values and our ideas, regardless of the strain to do in any other case.”

He also insisted the UK had been preparing for the possibility of conflict “lengthy earlier than” it began with Israeli and US strikes.

Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain will be sending extra assets to the Middle East as war continues to unfold in the region.

The prime minister has said he “will not stop” until British nationals are safe, following criticism that Britain had not moved assets into the region fast enough.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference on Thursday, Sir Keir said he would be sending more fighter jets to the region.

Sir Keir Starmer announced at a press conference that the UK is sending four more Typhoon jets to join its operations in Qatar amid the conflict in the Middle East, but resisted pressure to join the US directly in the war.

His announcement comes despite pressure from Donald Trump as well as the opposition party, as he was branded “no Churchill”.

Sir Keir Starmer has defended his decision to not launch offensive strikes against Iran.

Giving an update from Downing Street, the prime minister said he would make decisions based on the “national interest” and said: “It means having the strength to stand firm by our values and principles – no matter the pressure to do otherwise.”

It comes after he has received heavy criticism from Donald Trump and other key allies that Britain has not responded fast enough.

Sir Keir reiterated that the British position is that the “finest approach ahead” is to come to a negotiated settlement with Iran.

Sir Keir Starmer listed the measures the government is taking to protect British people and allies.

He mentioned: “We will maintain this shield over British people.

“We are working as fast as possible to get our people out.”

The PM mentioned: “When Iran started attacking countries around the Gulf and wider region, the situation changed.

“These are allies of the UK where we have hundreds of thousands of British people and personnel.

“Our number one priority is protecting our people.”

Sir Keir Starmer is delivering an update on the Middle East from the Downing Street briefing room.

The prime minister began his speech by saying he had chaired another Cobra meeting this morning.

He has received criticism from key allies in recent days about Britain’s seemingly slow response to the outbreak of war in Iran.

He will then be taking questions from the media following the update.

The prime minister has mentioned: “I know people are worried sick.

“They can hardly believe that yet agaib, we are seeing missiles and drones falling, and civilians on the firing line across the region.

“I want to reassure the British public about the action we are taking.”