He’s asking them to lean on Tehran. The logic is simple: the Gulf States don’t want a wider war any more than we do. Their gleaming skyscrapers and sovereign wealth funds are as vulnerable to a spike in insurance premiums and missile attacks as anyone else’s. Starmer is trying to position Britain as the ‘honest broker’ between the US hardliners and Iranian pragmatists. It’s a role that suits a former human rights lawyer, but it’s fraught with danger. He needs a photo op that suggests influence without looking like he’s begging. He needs to reassure the region that Britain is still a serious player post-Brexit, without getting dragged into a military quagmire. The flight over might be long and luxurious, but the landing back at RAF Northolt could be very bumpy indeed if the ceasefire collapses while he’s still in the air.
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