The New Statesman

Hello, I'm Anoushekelian and this is Politics from The New Statesman, where every Thursday we bring you the latest from Westminster and beyond.

Today I'm joined by our senior editor George Eaton and our US correspondent, Freddie Hay Hayward to discuss the unfolding conflict between Iran

and Israel and Westminster's response. Our associate political editor, Rachel Cunliff, will then

step in for Freddie after the break to discuss the government's decision to launch a national

inquiry into the grooming gangs. Hi both. Hello. Hello. Hi. It's been a devastating week in global politics and actually is an involving story.

I should tell our listeners, we're recording on Thursday afternoon, but by the time you listen to this, some things might have changed.

So do bear with us.

On Friday, Israel launched missile strikes on various targets across Iran.

Iran responded with strikes of its own, leading to days of retaliatory

missile attacks between the two adversaries. Leaders across the globe have had their attention

fixed on the escalating conflict in the Middle East. In particular, the US President Donald Trump

holds a pivotal role as the only world leader with any real influence over Israeli Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, leaders from the G7 nations met in Canada, including the Prime Minister Kirstama,

with the conflict between Iran and Israel central to their discussion.

So, George, let's start with Kirstama and Labour.

What's been the response from the UK government so far?

Well, so far it's been defined by a single word, which is de-escalation.

And the UK obviously has key reasons for not wanting all out war in the Middle East.

You've already seen a spike in the oil price.

Kirstam has a lot of domestic economic pressures already, but also because

...