Keir Starmer has strongly criticized the “reckless” assault by Iran that caused a fire at an oil refinery in Kuwait.
Despite ongoing attacks from Tehran, the United States and Israel’s conflict with Iran is intensifying, posing challenges for Gulf countries.
During a discussion with Kuwait’s Crown Prince, the Prime Minister explored the possibility of deploying the UK’s air defense system to safeguard Kuwaiti and British personnel.
A statement from Downing Street following the Friday conversation stated that the Prime Minister condemned the drone attack on the Kuwaiti oil refinery and reaffirmed the UK’s support for Kuwait and its Gulf allies.
The deployment of the UK’s rapid sentry air defense system to Kuwait was discussed as a measure to protect personnel and interests in the region without escalating tensions further.
In response to the disruption of global shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the Prime Minister and the crown prince welcomed a recent meeting aimed at devising a plan to reopen the vital waterway. They committed to ongoing collaboration and regular communication in the following weeks.
Defense Secretary John Healey announced the arrival of a Rapid Sentry air defense missile system in Kuwait on Tuesday to enhance the country’s defense capabilities against potential Iranian attacks. Although the strike caused fires in operational units, there were no reported injuries to employees. Emergency response teams, firefighting crews, and environmental experts were dispatched to manage the aftermath of the attacks.
Yvette Cooper condemned Iran’s actions, accusing the regime of using the Strait of Hormuz to manipulate the global economy. The Foreign Secretary engaged in critical discussions with numerous nations, urging the immediate reopening of the shipping route. Contingency plans, including the imposition of sanctions on Iran, were also considered by the UK and its allies in case the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
