Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 April 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, earlier this afternoon.

The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and the importance of de‑escalation across the region. The Prime Minister stressed the need for a lasting ceasefire, with both leaders agreeing that any ceasefire must include Lebanon to support wider regional stability.

They agreed on the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global trade and energy supplies, and on the need to work with a wide coalition of partners to protect freedom of navigation.

Turning to Europe, they underlined the importance of close cooperation between the UK, France and the EU in tackling shared challenges.

On migration, the leaders discussed the importance of continuing efforts to reduce dangerous small boat crossings and tackle irregular migration, including through bilateral cooperation and work with European partners.

They agreed to stay in close touch.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 April 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said, this morning.

They discussed the peace talks held in Pakistan over the weekend and urged both sides to find a way through. It was vital there was a continuation of the ceasefire, and that all parties avoided any further escalation, the leaders agreed.

His Majesty updated on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and the Prime Minister thanked him for Oman’s efforts to rescue sailors from vessels in distress in the region.

Reflecting on international efforts to coordinate safe passage for shipping in the region, the Prime Minister said that following meetings convened by the Foreign Secretary and British military planners, partners continued to work towards restoring freedom of navigation for the long term.

The Prime Minister also reiterated the UK’s commitment to ensuring Oman’s security and updated on the UK’s work with Ukraine on drone technology.

It was clear Ukraine’s expertise had been vital to the region in recent weeks, while Russia appeared to continue to support Iran’s aggression, the Prime Minister added.

The leaders agreed to speak again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 April 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif this afternoon.

The Prime Minister said that the ceasefire was very welcome and thanked Sharif for Pakistan’s critical role.

They agreed that the upcoming talks were vital to progress the ceasefire towards lasting peace, and to ensure the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Recognising that it was still early days, the Prime Minister was clear that the UK was supportive of this process and hoped it would pave the way to a long-term resolution of the conflict.

They recognised the long and deep ties between the UK and Pakistan and agreed to stay in touch going forward.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and his Excellency the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman in Doha this morning.

The Prime Minister underlined the UK’s solidarity with Qatar following Iran’s indefensible attacks and his gratitude for keeping UK nationals living in the country safe.

He added that the UK-Qatar Joint Squadron had worked well together to defend the region in a time of need. Now that the ceasefire has been agreed, he said, this brought some relief but work must be done to ensure it turns into a lasting peace.

They affirmed their strong support for initiatives to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and for the principle of freedom of navigation. The Prime Minister set out how the UK was convening partners on the political, military and logistical steps necessary.

They committed to further strengthen their relationship, including on defence cooperation economic growth.

The Prime Minister said that his visit to the Gulf had been productive and they looked forward to speaking further soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi this afternoon.

The Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the people of the UAE and his condolences for the lives lost as a result of Iran’s reckless bombardment. The leaders agreed that Iran’s targeting of civilian infrastructure in the region was indefensible. 

The Prime Minister welcomed the ceasefire and urged that all sides work to ensure it is upheld and turned into lasting peace in the region. 

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the leaders discussed the need to push to restore the free flow of goods to support global supply chains.

On wider bilateral issues, they agreed to continue to strengthen the UK-UAE relationship cross a range of areas, including innovation, trade and investment.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met with His Majesty the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa this evening in Manama. 

The Prime Minister strongly condemned the Iranian attacks on Bahrain and reflected on his conversations so far with other leaders in the region. 

He reiterated the importance of ensuring the ceasefire is upheld in order to pave the way for lasting peace. He said that the UK would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Bahrain and other allies in the region.

They underlined their commitment to restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the need to consider and pursue viable plans to deliver this. 

The Prime Minister and Crown Prince also reflected on the long held strong links between their countries and the depth of the relationship, including the strong defence collaboration between the UK and Bahrain and their desire to work on this further.

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 April 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump from Qatar this evening.

The Prime Minister set out his discussions with Gulf leaders and military planners in the region on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the UK’s efforts to convene partners to agree a viable plan.

They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution.

The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible. They agreed to speak again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah today.

The Prime Minister began by welcoming the ceasefire and set out how efforts must now be focused on upholding it and turning it into a lasting peace. 

He was clear that it was vital now to continue work to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and discussed the UK’s ongoing efforts to convene partners to agree and plan the practical steps required to give shipping the confidence to transit the Strait. 

Reflecting on the defensive operations which have taken place in the region since the conflict began, the Prime Minister thanked His Royal Highness for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect British nationals in the country. 

The Prime Minister committed to continue to support Saudi Arabia as a steadfast ally including through the recent deployment of the Sky Sabre air defence system, having met UK personnel deployed to operate it earlier today. 

The leaders then discussed how the UK and Saudi Arabia could further deepen their defence industrial cooperation to boost capability and mutual security for the long term, as well as continuing to grow their thriving trade and investment relationship.

The Prime Minister said he was pleased that the UK and Saudi Arabia would soon be marking 100 years of friendship under the Treaty of Jeddah and they looked forward to speaking again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 April 2026.

Statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Starmer, Prime Minister Albanese, Prime Minister Carney, President Dan, acting Prime Minister Frederiksen, Prime Minister Frostadóttir Prime Minister Jetten, Prime Minister Kristersson, Prime Minister Michal, Prime Minister Mitsotakis, Prime Minister Montenegro, Prime Minister Sanchez, Prime Minister Siliņa, Prime Minister Støre, President Stubb, Prime Minister Takaichi, President of the European Commission von der Leyen, President of the European Council.

We welcome the two-week ceasefire concluded between the United States and Iran today. 

We thank Pakistan and all partners involved for facilitating this important agreement.

The goal must now be to negotiate a swift and lasting end to the war within the coming days. This can only be achieved through diplomatic means.

We strongly encourage quick progress towards a substantive negotiated settlement. 

This will be crucial to protect the civilian population of Iran and ensure security in the region. It can avert a severe global energy crisis.

We support these diplomatic efforts. To this end, we are in close contact with the United States and other partners.

We call upon all sides to implement the ceasefire, including in Lebanon.

Our Governments will contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 April 2026.

• The Prime Minister will travel to the Gulf this week to meet leaders of countries who have been in the front line, and will set out his full support for the newly agreed ceasefire 
• In meetings with regional leaders, he will reiterate unwavering UK support and need for a long-term diplomatic resolution to make sure the ceasefire leads to a lasting agreement 
• He will hold talks on ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains permanent, with the United Kingdom continuing to lead international efforts

The Prime Minister is travelling to the Gulf today to meet with Gulf partners and discuss diplomatic efforts to support and uphold the ceasefire in order to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict and protect the UK and global economy from further threats.   

On the visit, the Prime Minister will make clear his government’s commitment to de-escalation, and hold further talks on practical efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz following promising progress reported as a result of the ceasefire. As announced by the Prime Minister last week, the United Kingdom is continuing to lead the international effort, convening allies from across the world to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.  

He will also see in person the defensive support the UK has provided in the collective self-defence of our allies in the region and thank UK personnel for their brave service. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world. 

Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz.

The Prime Minster’s travel follows the UK-convened meeting last week of more than 40 countries to begin work on a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz when the fighting subsides, and subsequent military planning meeting hosted by the UK on Tuesday to further advance this work. 

Work will now continue at pace in light of the ceasefire and the Prime Minister is expected to discuss this further in meetings with leaders in the region.

The Prime Minister’s first stop will be to thank the UK and local personnel who have bravely put their lives at risk in the defence of our people, our interests and those of our allies. 

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that UK personnel have intercepted more than 110 drone attacks in the region, and the RAF have conducted more than 1600 hours of defensive operations.

The Prime Minister will also pay tribute to the work of our partners in the Gulf, whose armed forces have protected the hundreds of thousands of UK nationals living in the region in the face of Iran’s brutal aggression.