Keir Starmer has urged ‘deescalation’ in the Iran war in talks with Mohammed bin Salman – amid claims the Saudi leader has been pushing for the conflict to continue.
The Prime Minister spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia last night as the Middle East crisis stretches into a fourth week.
Downing Street said Sir Keir and Prince Mohammed, known as MBS, ‘discussed the need for deescalation’ while the PM ‘updated on planning’ over the Strait of Hormuz.
Their call came just hours after reports emerged that MBS has been pushing for Donald Trump to ramp up the US-Israeli assault on Iran.
Sources told the New York Times the Saudi leader, who is close to the US President, has argued the conflict is an ‘historic opportunity’ to remake the Middle East.
He is said to have urged Mr Trump to press for the destruction of the Iranian regime, including through the deployment of American troops on the ground.
MBS has suggested the US should consider putting forces in Iran to seize energy infrastructure and force Tehran’s government out of power, the newspaper reported.
The Saudi leader is said to have argued Iran poses a long-term threat to the Gulf that can only be eliminated by getting rid of its hard-line regime.
Sources told the New York Times that Mohammed bin Salman, who is close to Donald Trump, has argued the Iran conflict is an ‘historic opportunity’ to remake the Middle East
The Prime Minister spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia last night as the Middle East crisis stretches into a fourth week
MBS has been the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia since 2017 and is known for his ruthlessness, including his alleged role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Since launching the US-Israeli strikes against Iran, Mr Trump has swung erratically between suggesting the war could end soon and signalling it could escalate.
In a readout of Sir Keir’s call with MBS on Tuesday night, No 10 said the PM had ‘reiterated the UK’s unwavering support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’,
A Downing Street spokesman said: ‘Iran’s ongoing attacks, including on critical national infrastructure, were appalling, the PM added.
‘The PM reiterated the UK’s unwavering support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and updated on the deployment of further UK defensive military equipment.
‘The leaders discussed the need for deescalation, and the PM updated on planning around the Strait of Hormuz.
‘Following the UK-led joint statement last week, the UK was now working with partners on what a viable plan could look like to ensure the flow of goods through the key maritime route, the PM said.
‘The leaders agreed their teams should continue to work closely to defend the Kingdom and the wider region from further attacks.’
Saudi officials have rejected suggestions that MBS has pushed to prolong the Iran war.
The Saudi government said in a statement to the New York Times: ‘The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always supported a peaceful resolution to this conflict, even before it began.
‘Our primary concern today is to defend ourselves from the daily attacks on our people and our civilian infrastructure.
‘Iran has chosen dangerous brinkmanship over serious diplomatic solutions. This harms every stakeholder involved but none more than Iran itself.’
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said the administration ‘does not comment on the President’s private conversations.’
