Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged Iran to return to diplomatic talks following overnight U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.

In an official statement, Starmer emphasized the importance of regional stability, labeling Iran’s nuclear ambitions as “a grave threat to international security.” While confirming that the UK was not involved in the operation, he said the U.S. had informed him of the strikes in advance.

“Iran must never be permitted to develop a nuclear weapon,” Starmer said. “The United States has acted to reduce that threat.”

The U.S. confirmed it carried out targeted strikes on three key nuclear sites — Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo — late Saturday. The attack comes amid rising tensions, following Israel’s renewed military operations against Iran, which began on 12 June. Israel said its offensive targeted military and nuclear-related infrastructure.

In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks, escalating ongoing hostilities between the two nations.

President Donald Trump, who initially withheld comment on U.S. involvement, later addressed the nation, hailing the strikes as a “spectacular military success.” He warned that Iran would face “far greater” consequences if it did not pursue peace swiftly.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. actions as “outrageous” and warned of “everlasting consequences.”

“This reckless, unlawful aggression should alarm every member of the United Nations,” he said.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed concerns, calling the strikes a “dangerous escalation” in an already volatile situation. Photo by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street, Wikimedia commons.