A British-led diplomatic campaign has left Iran increasingly isolated following the downing of a civilian helicopter, with London throwing its weight behind subsequent US airstrikes. The incident, which occurred near the Iran-Iraq border, claimed the lives of 12 civilians and has been blamed on Iranian-backed militia forces. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer convened an emergency session of the UN Security Council, rallying allies to condemn Tehran’s proxy actions and impose fresh sanctions.
Hours later, the United States launched retaliatory strikes against militia positions in Syria and Iraq, a move endorsed by Downing Street. For those watching from the kitchen tables of the North, this may feel like a distant conflict. But the reverberations hit home: oil prices have already spiked 4%, threatening to push petrol above £1.
50 a litre. Union leaders warn that the cost of heating homes this winter will rise further if the situation escalates. While the diplomatic push aims to de-escalate, the working class pays the price for geopolitics.
