‘Embarrassing’: Starmer’s Gulf gambit misfires after Iran ceasefire

Just as the Middle East appeared to be on the brink of an uncontrollable conflict, the US and Iran have announced a two-week ceasefire. The Pakistan-brokered deal will reopen the Strait of Hormuz – though with Tehran-imposed caveats – and offers “a chance at real peace”, says Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary. Sir Keir Starmer is now jetting off to the Gulf, apparently to boost the morale of British troops there. But, Camilla Tominey and Tim Stanley ask, what is the point of his Lawrence of Arabia-style jaunt if he had nothing to do with the truce – and indeed had insisted throughout that this was “not our war”? Later, Gen Lord Dannatt, the former Army chief, told The Daily T that Britain has been “embarrassed” and “humiliated” by the Iran crisis and what it has revealed about our depleted defence capabilities. 🚨 LIVE EVENT: The Daily T will be going on the road to London (April 27), Cardiff (April 28), Warwick (April 29) and Worthing (April 30) ahead of May’s critical local elections, where you'll have a chance to put your questions to Camilla and Tim. 🎟️ Tickets are limited, book yours now!: We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia Coan Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman Video Producer: William Walters Studio Operator: Meghan Searle Social Media Producer: Nada Aggour Editor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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‘Embarrassing’: Starmer’s Gulf gambit misfires after Iran ceasefire is an episode from The Two-Minute Briefing by The Telegraph.

This episode is 38:10 long.

This episode was published on Apr 8, 2026.

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