US war on Iran was a ‘mistake’, says Reeves
US War on Iran Was a ‘Mistake,’ Says Reeves
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has criticized the United States for its decision to abandon diplomatic talks and escalate to military action, labeling the move as an error in judgment. During an appearance at the IMF’s annual conference in Washington DC, she emphasized the importance of reducing tensions, stating that “de-escalation is the best economic policy” for both the UK and the global economy.
The UK has declined to support the US’s economic sanctions targeting Iran, specifically avoiding involvement in the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Reeves noted that while the US focused on reopening the strait for oil and gas shipments, it had already been accessible “a few weeks ago” without disruption.
“Friends are allowed to disagree,” Reeves said when asked if growing UK-US tensions had strained their long-standing alliance.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently warned that the US-Israel conflict with Iran could trigger a global economic downturn. The UK, already a major importer of gas, is expected to face the most severe consequences among developed nations. Reeves questioned whether the war had improved international safety, pointing to the damage inflicted on Middle Eastern energy infrastructure.
Reeves acknowledged the economic strain caused by the conflict, but remained confident in the UK’s ability to surpass previous growth forecasts. “Our growth will be higher and inflation will be lower if the conflict comes to an end,” she stated, despite acknowledging the country had already exceeded projections in the prior year.
Reeves also highlighted the lack of clarity in the US’s strategy, noting that objectives—whether regime change, halting Iran’s nuclear program, or advancing diplomacy—remained undefined over the past six weeks. While she shared the Trump administration’s hostility toward the Iranian regime, she questioned the effectiveness of military action in achieving these goals.
Reeves expressed frustration with the US’s approach, telling the Mirror that the country entered the conflict without a clear plan for ending it. She attributed this to the potential economic fallout for UK households and businesses. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, however, argued that short-term economic hardship was acceptable to secure long-term international stability.
Bessent told the BBC that the risk of Iranian nuclear attacks on Western nations justified the current measures. He downplayed concerns about the economic impact, claiming the conflict had eliminated the “tail risk” of such strikes. The UK government, meanwhile, stated there was no evidence Iran aimed to target Europe with missiles.