The fragile ceasefire in the Gulf is under strain. US and Iranian forces exchanged strikes overnight. A US drone struck an Iranian patrol boat near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran retaliated with a missile barrage on a US naval base in Bahrain. No casualties reported. The White House insists it was a 'proportional response' to Iranian harassment.
Tehran calls it 'aggression.' The skirmish shatters weeks of quiet. Westminster is watching closely.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a carefully worded statement. 'We urge all parties to de-escalate. Britain stands with our allies but diplomacy must prevail.
' He is under pressure from Labour backbenchers. They fear a wider war. The Prime Minister's phone has not stopped.
Calls to Washington and Gulf capitals. The Saudis are nervous. They rely on US protection but trade with Iran.
The ceasefire was always shaky. Brokered by Oman in March. It stopped the tit-for-tat attacks but resolved nothing.
Now this. Opposition MPs smell blood. Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel demanded a Commons statement.
'The government must come clean. What intelligence did they share? What is their strategy?
' No answer yet. The Ministry of Defence is silent. Sources say No.
10 is scrambling. They did not see this coming. The intelligence committees will want answers.
The Lobby is buzzing. This is a test. Of the ceasefire.
Of Britain's influence. Of Starmer's judgement. He faces his own party's left flank.
They want condemnation of Israel too. That will not go down well in Washington. The game is on.
Next 48 hours critical.
