Prime minister Keir Starmer said talks with leaders in the Gulf had reinforced his view that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel remains fragile, as the government continued to focus on both Middle East diplomacy and wider security concerns in Europe.
Starmer has been in discussions today with the Saudi crown prince and the president of the United Arab Emirates. The talks came as ministers monitored developments following recent regional tensions and the impact they may have on the stability of the ceasefire.
In separate interviews this morning, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper declined to confirm reports that a Russian warship had escorted two sanctioned Russian ships through the English Channel. The ships are understood to be carrying oil being sold to help fund Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The UK government recently announced that armed forces have been authorised to board such ships in British waters in order to stop them. Cooper said the government had now given permission for action to be taken against the Russian shadow fleet, while operational decisions would still need to be taken appropriately by the military.
She also pointed to broader concerns about Russian activity beyond the specific incident reported in the Channel. Cooper said there were indications not only of how the Russian shadow fleet is operating, but also of rising Russian threats affecting the UK and other countries across Europe.
The issue forms part of a wider security picture facing ministers, who are balancing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East with continuing pressure over Russia’s actions and the enforcement of sanctions. The government’s move to authorise intervention against sanctioned vessels in British waters marks a more active stance on the shadow fleet, which has been linked to Russia’s efforts to keep oil revenues flowing despite Western restrictions.
Starmer’s conversations with Gulf leaders suggest the government sees a need for continued international engagement as tensions remain high. With the ceasefire described as fragile, the priority appears to be preventing further escalation while maintaining coordination with key regional partners.
At the same time, Cooper’s comments indicate that ministers are also preparing for further scrutiny over how the UK is responding to Russian maritime activity. The government has not confirmed the reported escort in the Channel, but it has made clear that it wants stronger powers to disrupt sanctioned shipping where necessary.
The developments come amid a busy day in UK politics, with the prime minister engaged in foreign policy discussions and the foreign secretary addressing questions on national security and sanctions enforcement. Both issues underline the range of external pressures currently facing the government.
