Reeves Calls US-Iran War a Mistake, Urges Global De-Escalation
Reeves Calls US-Iran War a Mistake, Urges Global De-Escalation
UK Chancellor says ending diplomacy with Iran and entering conflict risks global economic pain, urging de-escalation amid IMF warnings.
In Washington, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves labelled the US-led war on Iran a mistake and urged de-escalation as the best economic policy for the UK and the world. She stressed that diplomacy had existed and should be revived, saying, "There was a diplomatic channel open, conversations, formal discussions were happening. I think it was a mistake to end those and to enter into conflict." She also noted that the UK would not participate in the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, even as energy prices have surged.
The chancellor’s remarks come as the IMF warned that the US-Israel conflict with Iran could push the global economy toward recession, with the UK forecast to be among the hardest-hit advanced economies. Reeves said the best path is to de-escalate, stating, "The best economic policy now, not just for the UK, but globally, is to de-escalate." She cautioned that beyond the immediate impact on energy costs, there would be long-term economic pain due to damage to Middle East oil and gas facilities.
Reeves stressed that while she shares a strong opposition to the Iranian regime, the aim should be to stop it through diplomacy rather than confrontation. She argued Iran does not currently possess a nuclear weapon and reiterated that diplomacy remains the most effective route to influence. The comments were delivered at the Invest in America Forum in Washington DC, amid the IMF’s annual conference, highlighting the global stakes of the conflict and the need for careful policy choices that can avoid a wider economic downturn.
