Finance
UK's Starmer, Saudi Crown Prince Discussed Ongoing Middle East Conflict, Downing Street Says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 24, 2026
1 min readLast updated: March 24, 2026
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on March 24, 2026, reaffirming support against Iran’s escalating aggression, detailing new UK defensive deployments, and cooperating on plans to secure vital maritime routes.
UK's Starmer and Saudi Crown Prince Address Middle East Conflict and Defence
Diplomatic Discussions and Defence Cooperation
Overview of the Meeting
March 24 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday evening, a Downing Street spokesperson said.
Support and Military Updates
UK's Support for Saudi Arabia
Starmer reiterated support for Saudi Arabia during the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, and updated the Saudi crown prince on the deployment of further UK defensive military equipment, the spokesperson said.
Response to Iranian Attacks
"Iran's ongoing attacks, including on critical national infrastructure, were appalling," Starmer said.
Ensuring Maritime Security
International Collaboration
UK-led Joint Statement and Future Plans
"Following the UK-led joint statement last week, the UK was now working with partners on what a viable plan could look like to ensure the flow of goods through the key maritime route," Downing Street said, quoting Starmer.
(Reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Mexico City; Editing by Chris Reese)
Key Takeaways
- •Starmer reiterated UK backing for Saudi Arabia amid Iran‑led attacks and confirmed deployment of additional defensive military assets, including jets, helicopters and naval support (yahoo.com)
- •He emphasized outrage at Iran’s attacks on critical infrastructure and explained that, following a recent UK‑led joint statement, work is underway with partners on securing the flow of goods through the Strait of Hormuz (en.wikipedia.org)
- •The discussions also built on broader diplomatic coordination, with the UK supplying situational updates and offering to support evacuation efforts while deepening intelligence and defense collaboration with Gulf allies (yahoo.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about UK's Starmer, Saudi crown prince discussed ongoing Middle East conflict, Downing Street says
1What did UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discuss with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman?
They discussed the ongoing Middle East conflict, military deployment, and maritime security.
2What support did Starmer express regarding Saudi Arabia?
Starmer reiterated UK support for Saudi Arabia during the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
3What military updates did the UK provide to Saudi Arabia?
The UK updated Saudi Arabia on deploying additional UK defensive military equipment.
4How is the UK responding to Iran’s attacks?
The UK condemned Iran's attacks and is working with partners on securing maritime routes.
5What is the UK’s focus on maritime security related to?
The UK is working on plans to ensure the flow of goods through key maritime routes.
