Keir Starmer

US, Iran near potential deal as Middle East waits

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise. 

|ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS, SHIFRA JACOBS
A woman walks next to a banner with a picture of Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, May 8, 2026.
Rosneft's Russian-flagged crude oil tanker Vladimir Monomakh transits the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, July 6, 2023

UK's Starmer says armed forces intercepted Russian shadow fleet oil tanker

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on sunday morning that UK armed forces intercepted a Russian oil tanker trying to pass through the English Channel.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
British MK Melanie Ward visiting NATO headquarters on June 7, 2026.

UK MP urges investigation into 32 charities for donating £28m to Israeli settlements

MP Melanie Ward, former chief executive of Medical Aid for Palestinians, has submitted a complaint to the Charity Commission regarding the charities, which she said are funding "illegal settlements."

|ByMATHILDA HELLER
British Defence Secretary John Healey walks to attend a cabinet meeting at Downing Street, the day before the State Opening of Parliament, in London, Britain, May 12, 2026.

British Defense Minister Healey resigns after spat over military funding with PM Starmer

"You have been unable, and the treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats," Healey said in his letter to Starmer.

|ByREUTERS

PMO appoints new Mossad chief, Trump orders Hormuz blockade after US-Iran talks fail

Vance: No deal reached after talks with Iran • CENTCOM clears underwater mines in Hormuz • Netanyahu says Israel's war with Iran 'not over yet'

APRIL 12, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Mossad Director Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman attends a ceremony marking the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle of the 7th Armored Brigade at the National Library in Jerusalem, on December 14, 2025.

UK suspends Chagos Islands sovereignty deal following Trump’s objections

The UK government has paused its deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following US President Trump’s criticism and concerns over US approval.

APRIL 11, 2026ByREUTERS
Supporters and members of the British Indian Ocean territory Chagos Archipelago hold placards and the territory's flag outside the Houses of Parliament in London on January 7, 2026, to protest against a proposed plan by the British government to hand over the islands to Mauritius.

Vance: No deal reached after talks with Iran, Netanyahu says Iran campaign 'not over yet'

John Kerry: Netanyahu presented Iran attack plan to former presidents • Iran warns military vessels against transiting Strait of Hormuz • CENTCOM clears underwater mines in Hormuz

APRIL 11, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Detail view of US Vice President JD Vance motorcade is seen at the Serena Hotel shortly after his arrival on April 11, 2026 at Islamabad, Pakistan.

Middle Israel: What comes after NATO? The fall of the Western alliance's era - opinion

The Western alliance has lost its compass, driver, and fuel. And since this alliance is brain-dead, a new one will have to come in its place.

APRIL 10, 2026ByAMOTZ ASA-EL
US SECRETARY of State Marco Rubio meets with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte at the State Department in Washington DC, on Wednesday. The Western alliance is brain-dead, and a new one will have to come in its place, the writer argues.

IDF destroys launcher fired from inside school, Israel excludes France from talks with Lebanon

IDF reservist severely wounded, another soldier lightly injured by shrapnel • Israel expels Spain from US's CMCC in Kiryat Gat over 'blatant anti-Israel bias'

APRIL 10, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon, April 10, 2026.

Trump, Starmer discuss reopening of Strait of Hormuz

The reopening of the Strait, which carries about a fifth of the world's oil consumption, is an important component of the US-Iran ceasefire deal.

APRIL 10, 2026ByARIELLA ROITMAN
The Callisto tanker sits anchored as the traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 10, 2026.

UK hosts talks with 35 countries on reopening Strait of Hormuz, US absent

British foreign minister Yvette Cooper will chair the virtual meeting of about 35 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.

APRIL 2, 2026ByREUTERS
An Indian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier, Shivalik, arrives at Mundra Port via the Strait of Hormuz, in Gujarat, India, March 16, 2026

UK will not be drawn into war, will free energy bills from Russian, Iranian control, PM says

Starmer said the UK will be “exploring each and every diplomatic avenue” in order to push for de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. 

APRIL 1, 2026ByDANYA SAPERSTEIN
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference at Downing Street in London, Britain, April 1, 2026.

Tony Blair rejects Gaza genocide charge, says Western leaders are failing to stop antisemitism

Tony Blair rejected claims that Israel’s war in Gaza amounts to genocide, warning that Western leaders are failing to confront the political climate fueling rising antisemitism.

MARCH 29, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Former British prime minister Tony Blair, September 18, 2024.

Herzog warns Europe ‘you’re next,’ blasts UK's Keir Starmer over Iran terror response

Herzog said that a change inside Iran was a desirable outcome, though he stopped short of defining it as a formal objective.

MARCH 26, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israeli President Isaac Herzog criticized Britain’s prime minister for what he described as a feeble response to Iranian terror in an interview with StandWithUs Israel executive director Michael Dickson at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. March 25, 2026.