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.

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

The Daily T

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