There is still “a lot of work to do” to ensure the US-Iran ceasefire lasts and to restore oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, the prime minister has said.

Sir Keir Starmer, speaking from an air base in Saudi Arabia, told broadcasters there was a “real sense of relief” across the region and in the UK, following the news that the US and Iran have agreed to a temporary peace deal.

However, he declined to comment when asked if his relationship with US President Donald Trump was “in tatters”, after the UK refused to let the US have free rein on the use of British bases to launch raids against Iran.

He replied: “I’ve acted as you would expect of a British prime minister, which is by being absolutely focused on what is our national interest, and that’s why I’ve applied my principles and my values throughout.

“And my principles and values made sure that our decisions were that we wouldn’t get involved in the action without a lawful basis, without a viable, thought-through plan…

“I act in the British national interest and nothing, nothing, is going to deflect me from that.”

Starmer declines to say whether his relationship with Trump is in ‘tatters’ but insists: ‘I act in the British national interest and nothing, nothing, is going to deflect me from that’ pic.twitter.com/wi44CftrUZ

— ITVPolitics (@ITVNewsPolitics) April 8, 2026