LONDON, England: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a significant 30-minute phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, as part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate rising tensions in the Middle East.
The call, which followed discussions with U.S. President Joe Biden and other European leaders, underscores the international push to stabilize the region amid increasing threats of broader conflict.
The dialogue between Starmer and Pezeshkian came after a joint statement from leaders of the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, and the UK, urging for renewed ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
The statement highlighted a sense of urgency, stressing that “there is no further time to lose” in preventing further violence. The call also emphasized support for Israel against potential Iranian threats while advocating for the prompt distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Recent escalations, including the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, have heightened the risk of a larger Middle East conflict.
In response, Western leaders have called on Iran to halt its threats against Israel, warning of severe consequences for regional security if such an attack were to occur.
Efforts to finalize a ceasefire-for-hostages deal in Gaza are ongoing, with a new round of negotiations scheduled for Thursday involving Egypt, the U.S., and Qatar.
