Keir Starmer will travel to the Middle East on Wednesday to meet with Gulf leaders and discuss diplomatic efforts to support a two-week ceasefire.
The PM welcomed the overnight news that Donald Trump has called off strikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran. The US President agreed to a two-week ceasefire on the condition that shipping is allowed to move through the Strait of Hormuz.
The PM said: "I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world. 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."
Mr Trump suspended his threat to strike power plants and bridges in Iran fewer than two hours before his deadline of 1am GMT Wednesday morning. On Tuesday, the erratic politician issued an apocalyptic warning that “a whole civilisation will die” unless Tehran met his demands.
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But Mr Trump later said Tehran proposed a 10-point plan that provided “a workable basis on which to negotiate”. The move followed a request by Pakistan, which has been acting as a mediator in the conflict between the warring sides.
On his visit to the region, Mr Starmer will make clear his government’s commitment to de-escalation and hold talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz permanently. He will discuss practical efforts to restore freedom of navigation to the key shipping route "following promising progress reported as a result of the ceasefire", No10 said.
The PM is expected to meet UK and local personnel during his visit to thank them for having "bravely put their lives at risk in the defence of our people, our interests and those of our allies", Downing Street added.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that UK personnel have intercepted more than 110 drone attacks in the region, and the RAF have conducted more than 1600 hours of defensive operations.
Policing minister Sarah Jones said the PM is travelling to the Gulf today "to see for himself" the defence in the region and "play his role" in doing everything possible to make the ceasefire "a lasting agreement".
She said: "We are really pleased that this ceasefire has been announced. We now want to see it turn into a lasting agreement and I can tell you as well that the prime minister will be travelling to the Gulf today to see for himself the defensive action that we are taking in that region and also to play his role in terms of making sure the Strait is opened up and we are doing everything we can to see that lasting agreement."
Mr Starmer’s trip follows a meeting last week of more than 40 countries, organised by the UK, to begin work on a viable plan to reopen the vital shipping route. A separate military planning meeting was hosted by the UK on Tuesday.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke with US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Tuesday evening after Mr Trump posted his stark warning that “a whole civilisation will die”. The pair discussed international efforts and diplomatic measures to open the Strait of Hormuz, including a UK-led meeting which brought together more than 40 countries to pursue reopening.
Ms Cooper is thought to have urged a swift end to the conflict and gave the UK’s backing to negotiations and efforts to prevent further escalation.
Tehran’s effective blockade of the Strait, a narrow sea passage out of the Persian Gulf, where some 20% of the world’s oil ordinarily passes through each day, has sent global oil prices spiraling.
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