Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called on the United States and Iran to "find a way through" after critical peace negotiations between the two nations concluded without an agreement to end their ongoing conflict.
Initial talks held in Pakistan over the weekend failed to produce a deal, creating uncertainty about whether a fragile two-week ceasefire will hold. Sir Keir warned against "further escalation" in the region during a phone conversation with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said on Sunday.
"They discussed the peace talks held in Pakistan over the weekend and urged both sides to find a way through," a Downing Street spokeswoman said. "It was vital there was a continuation of the ceasefire, and that all parties avoided any further escalation, the leaders agreed."
US Vice-President JD Vance, who participated in the negotiations, cited Iran's refusal to commit to not building nuclear weapons as the primary obstacle to reaching an agreement. Meanwhile, Iran's delegation leader, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, claimed his country had presented "forward-looking initiatives" but that the US had failed to gain Tehran's trust.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the breakdown as "disappointing" but noted that "the mere fact that the Americans and the Iranians were able to get around the table together is highly unusual and necessary."
Streeting also defended Sir Keir's decision not to commit British forces to potential US-Israeli military strikes against Iran, calling it "the right choice." The cabinet minister emphasized that the UK seeks a negotiated settlement that "puts Iran's nuclear ambitions to bed."
The diplomatic impasse comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has effectively blocked shipping during the conflict. Sir Keir has discussed with US President Donald Trump the need to reopen this vital shipping lane, with the UK set to host coalition talks on the matter this week.
When questioned about potential Royal Navy escorts through the strait, Streeting responded that "it would be premature for me to say anything at this stage."
The failed negotiations have further strained the historically close UK-US relationship, with Sir Keir recently expressing frustration that "families across the country see their bills go up and down... because of the actions of Putin or Trump."