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Starmer wants to repair 'deep damage' caused by Brexit UK wants 'ambitious' reset in ties with EU Trump criticised Britain for refusing to help in war UK hosting summit on opening Strait of Hormuz LONDON, April 1 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that the global instability caused ‌by the Iran war means Britain should pivot to focusing on closer economic and defence ties with Europe, following repeated criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. Starmer said building stronger relations with Europe would be at the centre of a summit with the European Union in the summer, as he warned the consequences of ​the Iran war would last for a generation. The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here. Advertisement · Scroll to continue "It is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, ​our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe," Starmer told reporters at a press ⁠conference in Downing Street. Trump has repeatedly insulted Starmer, calling him cowardly because of his unwillingness to join the U.S. war on Iran, ​saying he was "No Winston Churchill” and describing Britain's aircraft carriers as "toys". In a sign that British foreign policy was shifting away from the United ​States, traditionally its closest ally, Starmer said he saw his country's future being more aligned with Europe. Advertisement · Scroll to continue UK TO HOLD MEETING ON REOPENING STRAIT After Trump was elected as president for a second term in 2024, Starmer tried to position himself as a conduit between Europe and the United States. But their relationship has ​publicly deteriorated over the Iran war. Starmer initially denied a request from the U.S. to attack Iran from two British bases, but later ​agreed to allow what he calls defensive missions aimed at protecting residents of the region, including British citizens. Item 1 of 4 Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference at Downing Street in London, Britain, April 1, 2026. Frank Augstein/Pool via REUTERS [1/4]Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference at Downing Street in London, Britain, April 1, 2026. Frank Augstein/Pool via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Asked about Trump's criticism, Starmer said he would ‌not give ⁠in to "pressure" from Trump to be dragged into the war. Starmer instead said the government was focused on deepening its relationship with Europe and it was necessary to undo some of the "deep damage" done by Brexit. Although Starmer called for an "ambitious" reset in relations, he ruled out rejoining the EU's customs union or its single market. The opposition Conservative Party criticised Starmer, saying he was trying to "reopen the old wounds of the ​Brexit years", while the populist Reform ​UK party said he should ⁠have announced measures to reduce energy prices. Starmer did not announce any new policies to help households at the press conference. But he did say that Britain would this week host meetings with allies aimed ​at opening the Strait of Hormuz, the vital energy shipping route that has been effectively blocked by ​Iran since it ⁠was attacked by the U.S. and Israel, and 35 countries were now involved in efforts. Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper would host a virtual meeting of the group on Thursday to assess diplomatic and political measures to reopen the Strait "after the fighting has stopped", Starmer said. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, ⁠Japan, Australia, South ​Korea, Canada and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries who will attend ​the talks, according to a British government statement. A British official said it was expected that any first phase would focus on mine-hunting, followed by a second phase to ​protect tankers crossing the area. Reporting by Sarah Young, Andrew MacAskill, Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Catarina Demony, Michael Holden, Alexandra Hudson and Alex Richardson

President Trump is set to address the nation on the Iran war at 9 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday night, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying he would be providing "an important update," without providing further details. On Tuesday, Trump said he expected the conflict to be over in two to three weeks, adding, "we'll be leaving very soon," and promising gas prices would then "come tumbling down." Trump shrugged off what would happen to the blockaded Strait of Hormuz – which has cut off one fifth of the world's oil supply – saying, "we're not going to have anything to do with it." He said that it wouldn't affect the U.S. and would be something for other countries to deal with. "They'll be able to fend for themselves," he said, having previously told European allies who have refused to enter the war to "go get your own oil!" The assertion to wrap up the war quickly comes just days after Trump threatened to up the ante if there was no deal and Tehran didn't reopen the strait. He said he could seize Iran's oil and blow up all of their Electric Generating Plants and desalinization plants. He also said he was considering an invasion of Iran's key oil export terminal, Kharg Island. But on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed his boss's latest comments on the war being over in a matter of weeks, saying the main goal of preventing Iran from being able to build a nuclear weapon had been achieved. Rubio has expressed frustration in recent days over news reports accusing the administration of lacking clear objectives in Iran. He said the objectives were: the destruction of Iran's air force, the destruction of its navy, the "severe diminishing" of its capability to launch missiles, and the destruction of its factories. Regime change, previously touted by the administration as a goal, was not mentioned. Earlier this week Trump said he considered regime change had been achieved, despite the fact that it remains a hardline theocracy led by the son of the previous ayatollah.