LONDON
The British prime minister on Monday welcomed reports of talks between US and Iran, saying the top priority has to be a "swift resolution" of the Mideast conflict.
"The immediate priority has to be a swift resolution of the conflict and delivering a negotiated agreement which puts tough conditions on Iran, particularly in relation to nuclear weapons," Keir Starmer said during a parliamentary Liaison Committee session.
Welcoming reports of talks between the US and Iran, Starmer said the UK was "aware that that was happening."
Asked about the effects of the Middle East escalation, he stressed that Britain does not have "any meaningful concerns" about energy supplies amid the conflict.
US President Donald Trump earlier on Monday claimed that the US has held "intense" discussions with Iranian authorities. Iran has categorically rejected Trump’s claims of talks, with Iranian officials repeatedly stressing that no negotiations are taking place.
On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said earlier Monday that he has ordered a five-day postponement of all strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, citing "productive" talks with Tehran.
"I am pleased to report that the United States of America and the country of 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 wrote.
He also told CNBC shortly afterwards that the US is "very intent" on making a deal with Iran and voiced hope that something substantive can be achieved through the talks.
UK must 'go further and faster' on defense spending
Asked how the UK would respond if Iran or Russia launched a ballistic missile at the UK, Starmer said the country has "very effective ways of defending ourselves."
Also responding Israeli claims that Iran has missiles that would be able to reach the UK, the prime minister pointed to the UK's integrated air defense system, and said he is deploying short-range air defense systems to Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
"I can tell you, our military personnel, our security and intelligence services are working literally 24 over seven to keep us safe and doing a very good job," he added.
Starmer said he recognized that Britain must "go further and faster" on defense spending, but declined to elaborate how this will happen.
He also defending his decision not to join US-Israeli attacks against Iran, saying the Iran war is "not our war and we are not getting dragged into this war."
"For any UK action, there must be a lawful basis and a viable and thought through plan ... that is why we didn't join the original offensive strikes."
Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, with reported casualties exceeding 1,300 people.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties, damage to infrastructure, and disruptions to global markets and aviation.