5 h. ago David Lammy repeatedly declines to say whether British government believes US strikes on Iran were illegal – UK politics live

Keir Starmer backs strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and calls on Tehran to return to negotiations but warns of ‘risk of escalation’ in Middle EastArmed forces minister Luke Pollard also appeared on the media round today, and stuck to the government line of not commenting on US action against Iran.He told viewers of Sky News that “it’s not for me to comment on the particular US action, but we’re assessing the battle damage at the moment to understand the true extent of the strikes.”I’m sorry that (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) has since been breached, of course I am, but that’s why the international community is ultimately committed to this. And let’s be clear, if Iran is able to enrich beyond 60%, is able to get a weapon, what we will see is nuclear proliferation across the Middle East, the world will be seriously more dangerous than it is at the moment, that’s why it must be stopped.I went straight to Geneva to sit with the Iranians. I spent seven hours in Geneva to ta...

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6 h. ago Armed forces minister claims it is ‘not for him to comment’ on US action in Iran

The armed forces minister refused to comment on whether Britain was pleased or disappointed about US military action in Iran

Politics

15 h. ago Donald Trump's defence chief claims Iran attack was shared with lawmakers

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was asked when congress was informed that President Trump had taken executive action to launch an offensive on Iran

Politics

26 h. ago Starmer warns of ‘risk of escalation’ following US strikes against Iran

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been calling for restraint and diplomacy but Donald Trump launched military action against Iran’s nuclear sites.

Events

28 h. ago UK must push for diplomatic solution following US strikes on Iran, says Swinney

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged Iran to return to negotiations following the overnight attacks on Tehran’s nuclear facilities.

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31 h. ago USA drops bombs on Iran as Donald Trump warns Iran could face 'tragedy'

The US military has taken action against Iran

Events

34 h. ago US Air Force jets using Prestwick could make Scotland 'complicit in war crimes' says Humza Yousaf

Days after Israel launched its first strikes against Iran, the US sent dozens of military aircraft across Europe including to Prestwick Airport.

Events

34 h. ago Humza Yousaf says Westminster must review its 'moral compass' over Palestine Action ban

Humza Yousaf said Westminster’s decision to ban Palestine Action, effectively branding them a terrorist organisation, was unacceptable.

Politics

34 h. ago Humza Yousaf is quite right to caution against any involvement in action against Iran

Record View says the Scottish Government should think very carefully over whether it wants Prestwick Airport - which it owns - to continue to be involved.

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69 h. ago Martin Rowson on Donald Trump delaying action on Iran for two weeks – cartoon

Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Starmer warns of ‘real risk’ in Middle East as Trump mulls bombing Iran

The Prime Minister pushed for de-escalation amid signs that the US president could join Israel’s military action against Iran.

Events

4 d. ago Will the new Middle East crisis rock the world economy? The markets say no – but I fear they’re wrong | Larry Elliott

The oil shocks of the 1970s-90s had brutal economic impacts. As Israel attacks Iran, a moderate rise in oil prices rests on questionable assumptionsFinancial markets picked up the clear message when Donald Trump cut short his stay at the G7 summit in the Canadian Rockies this week. Despite calls from fellow western leaders to de-escalate the crisis, the president’s early return to the White House was taken as a sign that the US is considering joining Israel in its military action against Iran. Trump says he wants Iran’s unconditional surrender.This is where modern summitry came in half a century ago. In 1975, the first meeting of what eventually became the G7 was convened at Rambouillet in France in an attempt to work out a joint response to the oil shock that accompanied the Yom Kippur war between Israel and its neighbours.Larry Elliott is a Guardian columnistDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by em...

Economics

5 d. ago Iran's supreme leader Khamenei trades war threats with Trump in 'incredibly dangerous moment' for Middle East

Ayatollah warns any US air strikes on Iran would have ‘serious irreparable consequences’ as US President considers military action

Politics

5 d. ago UFC champion Sean Strickland turns on Trump as he weighs up dramatic action against Iran

The latest update from Israel Defense Forces this morning confirmed that sirens are blaring in northern Israel due to a "hostile aircraft infiltration"

Politics

5 d. ago JD Vance braces MAGA that Trump planning 'further action' to stop Iran's nuclear program

Vice President JD Vance broke his silence about the military strikes on Iran on Tuesday, bracing supporters of President Donald Trump for possible American military action in the conflict.

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6 d. ago Vance says Trump ‘may’ take further action to end Iran’s nuclear enrichment

Comments come as US president claims credit for Israeli air superiority

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6 d. ago Democratic senator proposes curbing Trump’s war powers amid Israel

Tim Kaine introduces measure to prohibit US forces from taking action against Iran without approval from CongressAs Iran and Israel exchange missile attacks for a fourth day, Democrats in Washington are moving swiftly to reassert congressional authority over US military engagement in the region amid fears of American involvement in a broader conflict.Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, on Monday introduced a war powers resolution that would prohibit US armed forces from taking direct action against Iran without explicit authorization from Congress or a declaration of war. The measure, like other attempts to claw back power from the executive branch, faces a steep climb in the GOP-controlled Congress, where Republicans have been mostly unwilling to challenge Donald Trump’s authority. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago The Guardian view on Netanyahu’s Iran war: long planned, recklessly pursued – and perilous for all | Editorial

Israel’s strikes against Tehran risk spiralling conflict, flout legal norms and may permanently bury the last chance for nuclear diplomacyIn late 2020, Gen Mark Milley – then chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff – urged Donald Trump not to attack Iran and to ignore pressure from the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who was pushing hard for military action. Mr Trump backed down after the general warned that attacking Iran would start a war, with the risk of US officials being “tried as war criminals in The Hague”.Five years on, Israel’s prime minister has the fight with Tehran that he has spent decades preparing for, bolstered by Mr Trump’s claims that international law no longer applies. After all, why worry about red lines when The Hague’s already got a warrant out for you and your allies pretend not to notice? It helps when the US treats the international criminal court like a rogue actor. Mr Trump has even gone after the court’s judges and prosecutor for ...

Events

8 d. ago Tehran threatens UK as Starmer scrambles RAF: Prime Minister sends jets to the Middle East as war rages between Iran and Israel 

Sir Keir Starmer ordered the deployment of fast jets and refuelling aircraft from UK bases to bolster UK forces despite bloodcurdling warnings from Tehran not to meddle in the conflict.

Politics

9 d. ago Donald Trump is losing control of American foreign policy | Christopher S Chivvis

After Israel’s attacks on Iran and Ukraine’s on Russia, it is time the administration finds discipline and focus to regain authority of its foreign policyIran and the US have stood at a crossroads in recent weeks. Down one path lay negotiations that, while difficult, promised benefits to the citizens of both countries. Down the other path, a protracted war that promised little more than destruction.Back in 2018, Donald Trump had blocked the diplomatic path by tearing up the existing nuclear agreement with Iran – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. But since beginning his second term in January he has been surprisingly open to negotiations with Tehran. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seemed ready to go along. Continue reading...

Politics