UK must push for diplomatic solution following US strikes on Iran, says Swinney

John Swinney has said the UK must push for a diplomatic solution delivered by the international community, following the overnight US strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme.

The Scottish First Minister’s response to the developments in the Middle East came after Sir Keir Starmer urged Iran to return to negotiations.

UK minister Douglas Alexander said the Government “has been putting contingencies in place” as the region braces for any potential retaliation from Iran.

US President Donald Trump said three key nuclear sites in Iran were “completely and fully obliterated” in the military strikes.

The US is thought to have used B-2 stealth bombers to drop bunker-busting munitions on the sites – including the deeply-buried Fordo facility – as well as 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines.

The US-UK base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean is not thought to have been used in the operation.

Swinney told STV News: “The intervention by the United States is a dramatic escalation of an already very serious and dangerous conflict in the Middle East and at this moment the absolute focus of everybody must be on de-escalating this conflict, of making sure that it does not escalate any further and that active steps are taken to reduce the very damaging consequences of the overnight intervention.

“I therefore very much welcome the steps of the United Nations and the European Union to argue for de-escalation, and I encourage the United Kingdom Government to give its full support and its active involvement to de-escalating this conflict.

‘‘I obviously discussed the situation in the Middle East with the Prime Minister very recently and we will be seeking further dialogue about the consequences of the overnight intervention.

“We cannot, any of us, underestimate the scale of danger that has been raised as a consequence of the United States intervention overnight.

“I think the priority of the UK Government along with the welcome intervention of the United Nations and also of the European Union must be to use all international pressure to de-escalate this conflict and to ensure there is no further activity that will make it more dangerous for everybody that is involved.”

On X, Swinny added: “The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran.

“The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the U.K. Government must insist on that now.”

The Prime Minister had earlier said Iran should “return to the negotiating table”, noting the region remains “volatile”.

He said: “Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security.

“Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.”

Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf was critical of the Prime Minister’s response.

He posted on social media: “An awful statement from the PM, which ignores our collective responsibility to uphold international law.

“Supporting illegal military action in Iran, and gas-lighting us about an imminent nuclear threat, is hauntingly reminiscent of the lies told in the run up to the Iraq war.”