UK needs ‘ambitious’ new EU ties amid Iran war, Starmer says
PM to focus on European defence and economic partnership for ‘dangerous world’ in pivot away from US UK politics live – latest updates Britain’s long-term national interest requires closer partnership with the EU, Keir Starmer has said, citing war in the Middle East and the increasingly volatile international situation. The prime minister indicated that the conflict had refocused the government on “ambitious” new ties with Europe, economically and in defence, and said how Britain emerged from th
PM to focus on European defence and economic partnership for ‘dangerous world’, in pivot away from US
UK politics live – latest updates
The UK will seek an even deeper partnership with the EU because of the instability wreaked by Donald Trump’s war with Iran, Keir Starmer has said, adding that the moment called for a more ambitious deal with Brussels to strengthen trade and defence.
His comments came as the US president again said he was considering pulling the US out of Nato, which he described as a “paper tiger”. Trump has frequently lambasted the UK and European nations for failing to support the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, and criticised their militaries.
Coverage from 3 sources
- UK needs ‘ambitious’ new EU ties amid Iran war, Starmer saysGuardian - World · Ben Quinn Political correspondent · Apr 1, 2026, 10:08 AM
- Iran war shows UK needs ‘ambitious’ new EU ties, Starmer says, as Trump again criticises NatoGuardian - World · Ben Quinn and Jessica Elgot · Apr 1, 2026, 1:02 PM
- Starmer calls for ‘ambitious’ new UK-EU ties as Trump threatens to quit NatoGuardian - World · Jessica Elgot and Ben Quinn · Apr 1, 2026, 6:02 PM
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