The war in the Middle East between the US, Israel and Iran continues and grows to become more detrimental. This conflict has caused widespread fear for the instability of security across the world as the conflict expands to other nations in the Middle East. Tensions between these two nations have existed since the 1950s when the U.S CIA orchestrated a coup in Iran. The war that is happening currently was provoked by an Israel attack supported by the US due to claims of Iran developing a nuclear bomb, Iran avidly denies this. 

Keir Starmer has actively shown his support for the war that is taking place because of the UK alliance with the U.S. This alliance is created for each nation “prosperity and security “according to the 2024 Labour manifesto. However, the actions the U.S has been pursuing has been accused of being war crimes as said in an LSE blog,“The refusal to spare enemy combatants’ lives by accepting their surrender is classified as a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court”. The Labour manifesto includes being, “a defender of the international rule of law”. Donald Trump has clearly violated with his threat of “wiping out a whole civilisation” said on his X account. International law prohibits “threats of violence” that brings fear to civilians.  

 Starmer has stated in a press conference at Downing Street that, “This is not our war and we’re not going to get drawn into the conflict”. However, he has given the US permission to use UK military bases for, “defensive strikes”without the approval of  Parliament. One of the promises in Labour’s 2024 manifesto included, “Long term peace and security in the Middle East”. Many would say that the use of military bases threatens this. 

The public has shown active opposition to Keir Starmer and his complicity in the Iranian war. A London protest that took place on the 8th April, blocking the road outside of the Israel embassy in London. Protestors were condemning Israel’s attack on Lebanon on ceasefire day, dropping 100 bombs in 10 minutes killing hundreds and injuring thousands of civilians. A protest also took place in Glasgow on the 11th of April calling for a “Break with Trump”.  

There are also have been economic effects according to the RAC, prices of fuel increased for 40 days straight until the 10th April, the longest run of increases on record. Keir Starmer on an ITV interview expresses how he’s “fed up” with the frequent fluctuating of UK families bills due to the actions of “Putin or Trump”. 

 There have been peace talks taking place in Islamabad for a permanent ceasefire as the attacks between Lebanon and Israel on occupied Southern Lebanon continues. The ceasefire terms enabling Israeli soldiers to remain on Southern Lebanon soil threatens the safety of citizens and prevents the displaced Lebanese to return home. The conflict has reached a cooling point from weeks of constant attacks throughout the Middle East; however, the ceasefire terms still have people in constant fear of the war reigniting.