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UK security adviser was not part of final US-Iran talks, says Starmer's spokesperson

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 18, 2026

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· Last updated: April 1, 2026

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UK security adviser was not part of final US-Iran talks, says Starmer's spokesperson
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LONDON, March 18 (Reuters) - Britain's national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, was not part of final talks between the United States and Iran before the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against

UK Confirms Adviser Not Involved in US-Iran Talks Before Recent Strikes

Clarification on UK's Role in US-Iran Negotiations

LONDON, March 18 (Reuters) - Britain's national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, was not part of final talks between the United States and Iran before the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Tehran, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday.

Media Reports on Adviser’s Alleged Involvement

Britain's Guardian newspaper reported on Tuesday that Powell had attended the talks and judged the offer made by Tehran on its nuclear programme significant enough to prevent a rush to war.

Official Statement from Downing Street

"These negotiations were bilateral between the U.S. and Iran, facilitated by Oman. Jonathan was not present in the talks in Geneva and was not part of talks in the residence," the spokesperson told reporters, after being asked about the report which said Powell was present in the building at Oman's ambassadorial residence in Geneva.

UK’s Position and Support for Negotiated Solutions

"No team of British officials participated in the negotiations. The UK supported the approach Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner took and their efforts in pursuit of a negotiated solution," the spokesperson said, referring to the two White House envoys.

Aftermath of the US-Israel Strikes

The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, sparking a conflict that has spread across the Middle East, killing thousands in the region and 13 U.S. service members.

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill, writing by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Kate Holton)

Key Takeaways

  • Jonathan Powell was not present in the final U.S.–Iran negotiations, which were bilateral and mediated by Oman, confirms Starmer’s office—with no British officials involved.
  • The U.K. publicly supported the diplomatic efforts led by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, but did not partake in the Geneva talks.
  • The U.S. and Israel conducted strikes against Iran on February 28, escalating a conflict that has since spread across the Middle East and resulted in significant casualties, including 13 U.S. service members.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the UK's national security adviser involved in the final US-Iran talks?
No, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson stated that Jonathan Powell was not part of the final US-Iran negotiations.
Who facilitated the final negotiations between the US and Iran?
The negotiations were bilateral between the US and Iran, facilitated by Oman.
Did any British officials participate in the talks regarding Iran's nuclear programme?
No, according to the spokesperson, no team of British officials took part in the negotiations.
What did the Guardian report regarding Jonathan Powell?
The Guardian reported that Powell attended the talks and considered Iran's offer on its nuclear programme significant.
What triggered the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran?
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, escalating a conflict across the Middle East.

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