Lammy says Middle East needs ‘diplomatic solution’ after US talks
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has reiterated the need for “regional stability” in the Middle East following talks with US officials, as Israel continued to strike Iranian targets on Monday.
His remarks came after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, held in the wake of US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. Mr Lammy also spoke with secretary of state Marco Rubio.
“Important discussion with @SecRubio this evening on the situation in the Middle East,” Mr Lammy wrote in a post on X.
“We will continue to work with our allies to protect our people, secure regional stability and drive forward a diplomatic solution.”
‘Restraint’
Mr Lammy’s sentiments were echoed by the UK’s representative at the United Nations Dame Barbara Woodward, who urged Iran to show “restraint” and for “all parties” to return to the negotiating table.
“Military action alone cannot bring a durable solution to concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme,” she said.
In a Monday post on Truth Social, Mr Trump claimed the US strikes caused “monumental” damage, although US officials have said they are still assessing the situation.
“The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!” he wrote.
Over the weekend, the US attacked Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz which are linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.
The Tehran regime has insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful, but its uranium enrichment process has gone far beyond what is required for power stations.
Israeli military officials confirmed late on Sunday they had struck infrastructure sites in Tehran and in the west of Iran.
Explosions could be heard in the city of Bushehr on Sunday, home to Iran’s only nuclear power plant.
Israel confirmed it had struck missile launchers in the city, as well as a command centre where missiles were being stored.
Iranian media reported defence systems were firing in Tehran in the early hours of Monday morning, but Iran is yet to comment on the latest strikes.
‘Security’
On Sunday night, Downing Street said Sir Keir and Mr Trump agreed Tehran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and called for Iran to return to negotiations.
“The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and reiterated the grave risk posed by Iran’s nuclear programme to international security,” Downing Street said.
“They discussed the actions taken by the United States last night to reduce the threat and agreed that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
“They discussed the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and to make progress on a lasting settlement.
“They agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days.”
Other countries endorsed the US strikes, with Australian foreign minister Penny Wong giving the White House her full backing on Monday.
“We support action to prevent Iran getting a nuclear weapon and that is what this is,” she said.
In the hours after Mr Trump’s phone call with Sir Keir, he again posted on Truth Social, saying: “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”
The social media post marked a reversal from previous statements on regime change, including an earlier press conference from defence secretary Pete Hegseth, about the bombing on the three nuclear sites.
Iran is yet to confirm how much damage was done in the US-led attack.
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What was it you and Vance were praying for…?
Would this be the final one, solutions have they none other than some super bomb…
You can judge a person by who they pray with…
The preacher in a long black coat. Night of the Hunter Robert Mitchum
the orange one is now for regime change and Iran is looking to close the straits of hormuz.
So, a strike based on an idiots gut feeling looking good still? No10 must know they are dealing with a blithering idiot.
Only a permanent diplomatic solution will do. Iran needs to recognise Israel as a legitimate state, and the international community need to work out how and where a Palestinian state can exist in the region that doesn’t undermine Israel’s security. Until then the cycle will continue.
I fully agree. But slightly simplifying, Iran will never do this. And hamas won’t agree a two state solution, plus Israel are far from a position where they’ll agree now. So what is the next step?
I was reading on the weekend how Iran is mimicking Russian disinformation tactics from the brexit/Trump election to radicalise and amplify noise around the Palestinian protests which are happening in Western countries such as UK. It’s feeling increasingly like a series of proxy wars
Hamas was crated by the isrealis and the treatment of more moderate Palestinian groups like the PLO. It seems you are the one spreading misinformation.
Righty ho!
https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/israel-palestine-negotiation-idea-always-fiction
https://www.pressenza.com/2023/11/how-netanyahu-funded-built-up-and-made-an-ally-of-hamas-from-2012-to-2018/
The current Iranian regime won’t recognise Israel but the next one will. The next one also won’t fund Hamas.
The zionists will never give the Palestinians any state, any land or even let them survive. So forget that option. There will never be peace while a bully is there. Eventually a new balance will form and the cycle will continue. It has been a brutal history especially because Jerusalem is holy to the 3 Mosaic religions. The zionists have not learnt.
You’ve missed the point. If a new state was created outside the region currently controlled by Israel then Israel wouldn’t have any direct influence over it. A new state wouldn’t mean Palestinians giving up claims to existing territories, indeed as a fully fledged New Palestine state they would be able to lodge a formal claim for the land with the ICJ. But without Iran recognising Israel as a legitimate state, this isn’t possible because Iran will still use New Palestine wherever it’s located as a staging post for their proxy war, and Israel will continue to fight back. That’s why… Read more »
So you want them ethically cleansed from their own country.
Well done for showing your true colours
The simple fact remains that a state cannot exist within a state. It’s unworkable. It’s impossible to secure. Any population movement to a new state should be voluntary, including repatriation of the global diaspora. Do you even want this solved? That’s not a redundant question, many don’t.
The zionists are solving it with genocide.
What’s your proposal?
Co-exist. The similarities between the 3 mosaic religions outweighs any of their differences. Peace be to all of them there: Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Agreed but how do we get there?
Small steps.
Stop land grab.
Apologise. Both sides.
Hamas: give back hostages.
Pray together. The only thing that stops me praying in any room or building is the presence of pictures of people, animals or idols and statues. That is core to my faith: Islam. Other than that, I will pray with anyone and anywhere. Except a toilet.
Remind everyone, we are all equal. No-one is more superior because of birthright, money, property, bad choices we make or religion. We all forget that sometimes.
Small steps to what? It’s important to know where we’re heading before plotting the route.
Co-exist.
Palestinians as citizens of Israel? Governance of the territories modelled on devolution in Wales?
Why not?
The only barrier is Iran. Don’s working on that.
The only barriers are hard liner politicians seeking increased power by causing disruption to peace and co-existence. We don’t to look elsewhere. These are just distractions and excuses.
The hardliners only exist because of the security threat posed by Iran.
With a nuclear deterrent,superior air power, iron dome and Mossad, there was no need for taking the hard line with the Palestinians. That was their choice and its just atrocious.
Palestine existed before isreal and welcomed Jewish people before and after WW2. When the rest of the world turned their backs on them. Then in 1948 terrorsist groups decided to bomb and murder both Palestinians and British soldiers to seize control of the country. Why should the Palestinians be forced to leave? Surely even you can read about the real history of the region amd not the propaganda you’ve been spoon fed. Then maybe you’ll see the true travesty that has befallen the Palestinians and realise they are the victims here and should be allowed to live in peace in… Read more »
Partition was approved by the UN in November 1947.
I don’t why any one in the UK Government says anything out aloud. Trump doesn’t listen and he doesn’t care.
Reading about the logistics and deception deployed during the US strikes ‘operation midnight Hammer’, you do wonder if the US needs to help the help of anyone. The Israelis clearly helped the week before, but the pentagon issued a statement over the weekend stating that not a single shot was even fired at American planes, despite 125 being deployed.
It is called air superiority, when those below just have to take whatever is dropped on them. There once was a Geneva Convention…humanity sinks into depravity and a sea of bloodshed without restraint….