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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Will Meakin-Durrant

Miliband calls for calm in Iran as Trump threatens to bomb bridges

  • Ed Miliband , in his international stage debut as foreign secretary , called for de-escalation in the Iran- US conflict during an ASEAN summit in the Philippines , acknowledging the significant economic impact on member states and the UK.
  • Donald Trump issued a severe warning, stating that the United States would 'bomb and destroy' Iranian bridges or power plants if Iran targets any ship in the Strait of Hormuz .
  • Miliband emphasised the critical need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and uphold the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation, noting that a previous US-Iran deal for toll-free passage had stalled.
  • Trump's threat followed a period of heightened tensions, including recent US strikes on Iran, Iranian missile attacks on Aqaba, Jordan, and alerts issued in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
  • New prime minister Andy Burnham had an 'extremely warm' call with Trump, discussing defence, security, and the UK's commitment to securing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with Burnham confirming continued UK support for US defensive strikes from British bases.
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