British premier to address troops in the Gulf amid US-Iran ceasefire

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is travelling to the Gulf on Wednesday for talks with regional partners aimed at reinforcing a newly agreed ceasefire and supporting efforts toward a longer-term resolution to the conflict.

US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran Tuesday, saying Tehran presented a “workable” 10-point proposal for negotiations.

According to an official statement, Starmer will use the visit to underline his government’s commitment to de-escalation while engaging in discussions on practical steps to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The move follows what the government described as “promising progress” resulting from the ceasefire agreement.

During the visit, Starmer is also expected to address British troops in the region, which was planned before the ceasefire announcement.

"I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world," the British prime minister said in a statement.

"Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz," he added.

The ceasefire announcement came less than two hours before the expiration of a deadline Trump had repeatedly extended for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept an agreement or face “the destruction of an entire civilization.”