Prime Minister Keir Starmersaid on Monday (March 16) Britain would not be drawn into a wider war in Iran and announced the first financial support for British households as a result of the conflict.

Starmer told a news conference that reopening the strait was the only way to stabilise energy markets,

U.S. President Donald Trump has heavily criticised Starmer for not initially supporting the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran, and said at the weekend that Britain, China, France, Japan and South Korea should send warships to the region to reopen the waterway.

Starmer also set out the first financial support for British households as a result of the conflict, a 53-million-pound ($70.30 million) package for the most vulnerable who rely on heating oil after its cost spiked due to the conflict.

Starmer told a news conference that reopening the strait was the only way to stabilise energy markets,

About a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the strait, a narrow passage of water between Iran and Oman. Tehran's effective shutting of the Strait has sent oil prices to more than $100 a barrel.

Starmer said while Britain was "taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war".

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 16, 2026) (UK POOL - Broadcast: No use UK. Digital: No use UK, except UK newspapers)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING (AS HE WALKS TO PODIUM FOR NEWS CONFERENCE):

“Good morning. The conflict in Iran and across the Middle East is now entering its third week. So, I want to take a moment to set out how we're responding to this crisis and standing up for the British people.”

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING:

“We will protect our people in the region. Second, while taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies. We will not be drawn into the wider war. And third, we will keep working towards a swift resolution that bring security and stability back to the region.”

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING:

“And I’ll be meeting President Zelenskiy soon because it is vital that we continue to focus on supporting Ukraine. We cannot allow the war in the Gulf to turn into a windfall for Putin.”

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING:

“We have capped energy bills until the end of June, saving the average household £117.”

8. WHITE FLASH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING:

“And I can announce today that we're giving a legal direction to the energy companies to ensure that every penny of the savings that we delivered through last year's budget is passed directly onto customers to keep bills as low as possible.

10. WHITE FLASH

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING:

“We have extended the cut in fuel duty until September, and we've introduced the cheap fuel finder, forcing petrol stations to publish their live prices to make it easier for drivers to choose the lowest price.”

12. WHITE FLASH

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING:

“I'm announcing immediate support for vulnerable heating oil customers today, providing £53 million for those households that are most exposed. Fourth, we are pushing ahead with our long-term plan to build Britain's energy security and independence, because otherwise we will continue to be subject to wild fluctuations in oil and gas prices.”

14. WHITE FLASH

15. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING:

“We will continue to work towards a swift resolution of the situation in the Middle East because there is no question. Ending the war is the quickest way to reduce the cost of living.”