By Burak Bir
LONDON (AA) - The British prime minister on Sunday said they are doing "everything" they can to stabilize and de-escalate the situation, and to get to a negotiated outcome following US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
"It is important that we now de-escalate the situation, stabilize the region, and get the parties back around the table to negotiate," Keir Starmer said in an interview with Sky News.
Starmer said he is "very clear" in his own mind that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, adding that it is "the greatest threat to stability in the region."
"I want to reassure the British public that we're doing everything we can to stabilize the situation, to de-escalate the situation, and to get to a negotiated outcome," he reiterated.
Starmer recalled that the UK was not involved in the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites, noting they were given due notice, "as we would expect, as close allies to the US."
"We have been moving assets to the region to make sure we're in a position to protect our own interests," he said.
Starmer noted that they have taken all necessary measures to protect UK interests, personnel, and to work with allies to protect their interests as well.
- UK premier speaks with Jordanian king, Omani sultan
Meanwhile, Starmer held separate phone talks with Jordanian King Abdullah II and Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said following the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites.
Both Starmer and Abdullah II called on Iran to return to the negotiating table in pursuit of a diplomatic solution, according to a statement by Starmer's Office.
"Turning to Gaza, they underlined their support for an immediate ceasefire to end the intolerable circumstances facing civilians there," it added.
Starmer and Al Said also discussed the developments in the Middle East and agreed on the "grave threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program" and reiterated calls for a return to the negotiating table.
"An escalation of the conflict is in no-one’s interests and the focus must be on de-escalation, they expressed.
Both leaders agreed that the situation in Gaza is intolerable, and that they must maintain momentum behind reaching an immediate ceasefire there, added the statement.
Tensions in the region further escalated after US President Donald Trump announced Sunday that American forces carried out “very successful” airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan, amid growing fears of a broader conflict.
Following the US strikes, Iran called on the UN Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to condemn the attacks and hold accountable those who violate international law.
Hostilities broke out on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks since then.
Meanwhile, in Iran, 430 people have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.