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UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in Saudi Arabia to meet with Gulf allies following the announcement of a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. According to Downing Street, the visit is focused on diplomatic efforts to maintain the peace agreement and ensure the continued reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Starmer’s trip comes in the wake of aggressive rhetoric from Donald Trump, who warned of civilizational collapse if Iran did not end hostilities. The Prime Minister is expected to return to the UK on Friday.
Sir Keir said: "I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world."
He added: "Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz."
Sir Keir is also expected to meet UK military personnel in the region as part of his Gulf trip, which was planned before the ceasefire announcement.
Iran and the US agreed to the conditional ceasefire on Tuesday, just over an hour before the expiry of the deadline Trump had set for Iran to make a deal.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the ceasefire was "subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz".
Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Iran would agree to a ceasefire "if attacks against Iran are halted", adding that for a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible.
