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Sir Keir Starmer cautioned ministers against complacency following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a five-day pause in strikes on Iran.
Speaking to the Liaison Committee, the Prime Minister said the UK must prepare for a protracted conflict and focus on avoiding further escalation.
He reassured MPs that the UK has “very effective ways of defending ourselves” against Iranian missile threats, dismissing claims that Britain could be targeted by long-range strikes.
Starmer said: We constantly assess this, and we do have very effective ways of defending ourselves.
“I don’t want to raise levels of public anxiety. They are anxious about what they’re already seeing on their television screens. They’re anxious about the impact it will have on them, particularly economically, in their households. And I don’t want to raise their levels of anxiety.
“I can tell you our military personnel, our security and intelligence services, are working literally 24/7 to keep us safe and doing a very good job in that regard.”
Starmer confirmed that airspace battle management specialists are embedded in Middle East commands and short-range air defence systems are being rapidly deployed to Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
On energy security, Starmer stressed that supplies remain stable but acknowledged daily price fluctuations. He welcomed reports of US-Iran talks while emphasising the need for stringent conditions on Tehran, particularly regarding nuclear capabilities.
The Prime Minister’s comments come as global oil supplies have fallen by an estimated 20% due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with Centrica CEO Chris O’Shea warning of inevitable price rises if the situation persists.
O’Shea said: “Cornwall Insight, I think, have predicted that there’s going to be an increase in prices.
“If it stays as it is then I think that’s inescapable.
The world uses about 100 million barrels of oil a day. We’ve lost about 20% of that through the Strait of Hormuz.”
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