London [UK], March 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said the United Kingdom will not be drawn into a wider war in West Asia, after US President Donald Trump warned that the future of NATO could be at stake unless allies, including the UK, provide military support in the region.
Starmer said during a press conference that the UK’s priority remains protecting its citizens in the region while taking necessary steps to defend itself and its allies.
“First, we will protect our people in the region. Second, while taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war. And third, we will keep working toward a swift resolution that brings security and stability back to the region and stops the Iranian threat to its neighbors,” he said.
Starmer acknowledged that the cost of the West Asia conflict has been felt globally and called for an end to the war as quickly as possible.
“I want to see an end to this war as quickly as possible because the longer it goes on, the more dangerous the situation becomes and the worse it is for the cost of living back here at home,” he said.
Germany and Greece also distanced themselves from the conflict.
A German government spokesperson said the war in Iran has nothing to do with NATO, adding that Germany would not take part in the conflict or in efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open through military means.
“As long as this war continues, there will be no participation, not even in any effort to keep the Strait of Hormuz open by military means,” the spokesperson said.
Greece also said it would not engage in any military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, with government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis confirming the country’s position.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said diplomacy remains the appropriate way to resolve the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and that Italy is not involved in any naval missions that could be extended to the area.
“As far as Hormuz is concerned, I believe diplomacy needs to prevail,” Tajani told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Brussels.
“Italy is involved in defensive naval missions in the Red Sea, but I don’t see any missions that can be extended to Hormuz,” he added.
Trump said on March 14 that “many countries” would dispatch warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, though he did not provide details on which nations would participate. (ANI)
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