Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer alights the airplane as he arrives at the airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on April 9.PHOTO: REUTERS

Britain condemns Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates

· The Straits Times

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on May 4 condemned the Iranian drone and missile strikes targeting the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Starmer called on Iran to engage in diplomacy to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, the prime minister’s office said.

“We stand in solidarity with the UAE and will continue to support the defence of our partners in the Gulf. This escalation must cease. Iran needs to engage meaningfully in negotiations to ensure the ceasefire in the Middle East endures, and a long-term diplomatic solution is achieved,” Mr Starmer said.

Iran hit several ships in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4 and set a UAE oil port ablaze, as US President Donald Trump’s attempt to use the US Navy to free up shipping provoked the war’s biggest escalation since a ceasefire was declared four weeks ago. REUTERS