Keir Starmer prepares to LIFT sanctions on Iran as UK outlines response to peace breakthrough

And just before midnight, the Prime Minister said Britain was “ready to support the technical talks” which will soon begin.

He pledged to “work with partners”, then “work with international partners”, and help lead a mission to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz – though only “in an agreed way”.

Shortly afterwards, he and the leaders of France, Germany and Italy also reacted to the breakthrough.

The so-called E4 group said they “are prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear programme”.

“We will work intensively with the US, Iran and regional partners to seize this moment,” a statement declared – with a list of carve-outs for international law.

“This is a moment of opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilise the global economy,” it said.

“It is now vital that the detailed negotiations are concluded and this agreement is implemented rapidly and comprehensively. We are ready to support that effort.

“The urgent re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation is essential.

“We are committed to playing our part to achieve this – in accordance with our respective constitutional requirements – including through a strictly defensive and independent mission to reassure commercial shipping and conduct mine clearance operations.”

Alongside lifting sanctions, Iranian state media reported that America and its allies may have to deliver massive “reconstruction plans” for Iran worth as much as £222billion.

State-run Mehr News Agency revealed a number of draft details of last night’s 14-point memorandum of understanding, which would also see the end of sanctions on Iranian oil and energy products.

The MOU also includes plans to reopening the strait within 30 days “under Iranian arrangements”.

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Mehr also reported that “final negotiations will not begin before half of Iran’s frozen funds are released, Iran’s oil sanctions are suspended, and the naval blockade is lifted”.

It said the final agreement would be approved by a UN Security Council resolution.

Donald Trump did not mention Britain or Europe in his remarks after the breakthrough.

Though he did acknowledge that the strait would open up “for purposes of mine removal” on Friday.

The President has long attacked allies from Nato and further afield for refusing to join in with Operation Epic Fury.

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In March, he told GB News that America may “not come to the UK’s rescue” in future after Sir Keir’s “big mistake” – namely offering to send British ships “when the war is over”.

Mr Trump made clear that though America was “always there” to help the UK, he “may not be anymore”.

He has also taken aim at the UK’s aircraft carriers and Sir Keir’s “three week” delay in sending support to the Middle East.

He swiped: “We had the UK say that we’ll send, this is three weeks ago, we’ll send our aircraft carriers. Which aren’t the best aircraft carriers, by the way. They’re toys compared to what we have.”

Days later, the President demanded Britain and Europe “build up some delayed courage and go and take the Strait of Hormuz yourself” as he delivered an address to America on the war in Iran.

READ SIR KEIR STARMER’S STATEMENT IN FULL:

Sir Keir Starmer said: “I warmly welcome today’s agreement reached between the United States and Iran. This is a hugely important step forward in ending the war, ensuring regional stability, and re-opening the Strait of Hormuz. I congratulate President Trump and the mediators from Pakistan, Qatar and elsewhere who have contributed to this breakthrough. We have long urged de-escalation and this is the progress we had hoped to see.

“Attention must now turn to fully implementing the memorandum of understanding to ensure the Strait reopens and remains fully and permanently open, and that the detailed elements of the nuclear agreement are finalised. We stand ready to support the technical talks that will now begin. Our priority is that this becomes a durable and lasting peace, and we will work with international partners to support that.

“We are clear that toll-free freedom of navigation must now be restored in the Strait of Hormuz, to begin easing the severe economic impacts that have been felt for several months – on families here in the UK and around the world.

“We will continue to work with partners to support this – including, if required, through standing up the defensive, independent multilateral mission which the UK and France have taken a leading role in planning up to this point, particularly to offer support on mine clearance in an agreed way.

“For any peace to endure, it is essential that the commitments made, particularly in relation to Iran’s nuclear programme, are robust, verifiable, and fully implemented. It remains the UK’s firm and longstanding position that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon.”