SIR Keir Starmer has insisted there was “a lot of work to do” to get oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz as he visited the region.
The PM conceded there was a sense of relief that the US and Iran had struck a ceasefire deal as he worked to minimise the effects of the energy price shock.
He has put the cost of living crisis as his priority — with households being hit by surging fuel prices and facing higher-than-expected inflation this year.
Speaking at an air base in Saudi Arabia, Sir Keir said: “This ceasefire should not be temporary, but permanent.”
He added: “On top of that, we have to acknowledge this war was not our war, but my job is to protect the UK.
“It’s already had an impact on the UK, and it’s very important we get the Strait of Hormuz open. There’s a lot of work to do.”
He was pressed on whether his relationship with US President Donald Trump was in tatters after he refused to let the US have free rein on the use of British bases to launch raids on Tehran.
He said: “I’ve acted as you would expect of a British Prime Minister, which is by being absolutely focused on what is our national interest. That’s why I’ve applied my principles and my values throughout.”
Later Sir Keir met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks.
But Reform UK leader Nigel Farage did not think the PM would be treated with a great degree of respect on his visit.
He said: “Why bother?
“What’s he going to say? Our relationship with those parts of the world is weak and our relationship with America is fractured.”
