Starmer welcomes Trump's Iran ceasefire

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR

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Keir Starmer welcomed Donald Trump's dramatic Iran ceasefire announcement - as he called for rapid measures to ease the global energy crisis. The PM reiterated his desire for a 'swift resolution' and the reopening of the crucial Strait of Hormuz after the US president delivered his news on social media. Mr Trump claimed he was pausing the military action for five days after 'very good conversations' with Tehran - even though the regime has denied having any talks. Iranian TV has been boasting that America has backed down.

Keir Starmer welcomed Donald Trump's dramatic Iran ceasefire announcement - as he called for rapid measures to ease the global energy crisis. The PM reiterated his desire for a 'swift resolution' and the reopening of the crucial Strait of Hormuz after the US president delivered his news on social media. Mr Trump claimed he was pausing the military action for five days after 'very good conversations' with Tehran - even though the regime has denied having any talks. Iranian TV has been boasting that America has backed down.

Markets Rally on Signs of Diplomatic Breakthrough 

The apparent breakthrough sparked a massive relief rally on markets, which had endured a torrid morning beforehand. However, oil and gas prices remain higher than before the US and Israel launched strikes. Responding to the announcement, the PM's official spokesman said: 'Any reports of productive talks are welcome. 'We have always said that a swift resolution to the war is in global interests and the Strait of Hormuz specifically needs to be reopened.' Asked whether the UK had been informed about the negotiations or helped co-ordinate them, No10 would not go beyond an official readout of Sir Keir's call with Mr Trump last night.

The apparent breakthrough sparked a massive relief rally on markets, which had endured a torrid morning beforehand. However, oil and gas prices remain higher than before the US and Israel launched strikes. Responding to the announcement, the PM's official spokesman said: 'Any reports of productive talks are welcome. 'We have always said that a swift resolution to the war is in global interests and the Strait of Hormuz specifically needs to be reopened.' Asked whether the UK had been informed about the negotiations or helped co-ordinate them, No10 would not go beyond an official readout of Sir Keir's call with Mr Trump last night.

UK and US Discuss Plans to Protect Global Shipping 

The spokesman said: 'The readout makes clear that they discussed the situation in the Middle East and they discussed, specifically, the Strait of Hormuz. 'It has been something the Prime Minister has talked about since the beginning of this conflict, that we want to work with the US and international partners to develop a viable plan to safeguard international shipping and see an end to this crisis.' Posting in all capitals on his Truth Social site, Mr Trump said the US and Iran 'have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East'. He added further talks will take place to work towards a 'total and complete resolution' of the conflict which broke out on February 28 when Operation Epic Fury was launched.

The spokesman said: 'The readout makes clear that they discussed the situation in the Middle East and they discussed, specifically, the Strait of Hormuz. 'It has been something the Prime Minister has talked about since the beginning of this conflict, that we want to work with the US and international partners to develop a viable plan to safeguard international shipping and see an end to this crisis.' Posting in all capitals on his Truth Social site, Mr Trump said the US and Iran 'have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East'. He added further talks will take place to work towards a 'total and complete resolution' of the conflict which broke out on February 28 when Operation Epic Fury was launched.

The President had issued a 48-hour ultimatum on Saturday night for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face 'obliteration'. The financial markets immediately reacted to Trump's post with the price of oil and gas dropping as stocks rebounded across Europe. Iranian state television reported Trump 'backed down' from attacking the nation's power plants following a 'firm warning' concerning Tehran's plans to retaliate. Sir Keir discussed the Iran war and how to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz with Mr Trump in a 20-minute call last night. No10 tried to play down tensions between the pair over the mounting crisis in the Middle East following US-Israeli strikes, insisting the chat was 'constructive'.

The President had issued a 48-hour ultimatum on Saturday night for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face 'obliteration'. The financial markets immediately reacted to Trump's post with the price of oil and gas dropping as stocks rebounded across Europe. Iranian state television reported Trump 'backed down' from attacking the nation's power plants following a 'firm warning' concerning Tehran's plans to retaliate. Sir Keir discussed the Iran war and how to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz with Mr Trump in a 20-minute call last night. No10 tried to play down tensions between the pair over the mounting crisis in the Middle East following US-Israeli strikes, insisting the chat was 'constructive'.

But shortly before the conversation, the president spread a toe-curling clip from the British version of ' Saturday Night Live' on his Truth Social platform. The scene from the show - which aired for the first time on Sky this weekend - depicts the PM in No 10 too terrified to pick up the phone to talk to Mr Trump about Iran. 'What if Donald shouts at me?' the comedian playing Sir Keir says to his deputy, David Lammy . When 'Mr Trump' answers he immediately hangs up in a panic. The real Mr Trump has repeatedly vented fury at Sir Keir's reluctance to take a bigger military role, branding him 'disappointing' and 'no Churchill'.

But shortly before the conversation, the president spread a toe-curling clip from the British version of ' Saturday Night Live' on his Truth Social platform. The scene from the show - which aired for the first time on Sky this weekend - depicts the PM in No 10 too terrified to pick up the phone to talk to Mr Trump about Iran. 'What if Donald shouts at me?' the comedian playing Sir Keir says to his deputy, David Lammy . When 'Mr Trump' answers he immediately hangs up in a panic. The real Mr Trump has repeatedly vented fury at Sir Keir's reluctance to take a bigger military role, branding him 'disappointing' and 'no Churchill'.

He has also called Nato countries - including the UK - 'cowards' for not sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz. Polls have suggested the British public is extremely wary about taking part in the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, which have caused carnage in oil and gas supplies and raised fears of a global recession. Having hit $114 a barrel earlier this morning, the oil benchmark Brent crude fell back to $98 before rising again to around 106 dollars just after midday. Sir Keir is due to chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee this evening, with discussion focusing on the economic impact of the war.

He has also called Nato countries - including the UK - 'cowards' for not sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz. Polls have suggested the British public is extremely wary about taking part in the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, which have caused carnage in oil and gas supplies and raised fears of a global recession. Having hit $114 a barrel earlier this morning, the oil benchmark Brent crude fell back to $98 before rising again to around 106 dollars just after midday. Sir Keir is due to chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee this evening, with discussion focusing on the economic impact of the war.

He told reporters the meeting would examine 'every lever that's available to Government' to respond to soaring energy prices and the knock-on effect on the cost of living. As well as senior ministers including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, the meeting will be joined by Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey. Sir Keir said: 'I want to make sure that when it comes to the cost of living, we're doing everything we possibly can at a very difficult period like this.'

He told reporters the meeting would examine 'every lever that's available to Government' to respond to soaring energy prices and the knock-on effect on the cost of living. As well as senior ministers including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, the meeting will be joined by Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey. Sir Keir said: 'I want to make sure that when it comes to the cost of living, we're doing everything we possibly can at a very difficult period like this.'

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