Baku, August 13, AZERTAC

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep concern Monday over the situation in the Middle East in talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing de-escalation, according to Anadolu Agency.

During a phone call, Starmer urged all parties to de-escalate and avoid further regional confrontation, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

"There was a serious risk of miscalculation and now was the time for calm and careful consideration,” he said according to the statement.

Starmer also called on Iran "to refrain from attacking Israel, adding that war was not in anyone’s interest."

The focus should be on diplomatic negotiations to achieve those outcomes, said Starmer.

The two leaders agreed that a constructive dialogue between the UK and Iran was in both countries’ interests, noted the statement.