In an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, Alireza Thamoudi talked about the approach of the new British government in the area of foreign policy: the issue of relations with the European Union, the type of British orientation towards the Ukraine crisis and relations with China, as well as the British policy towards the Middle East, including Iran and the recognition of the Palestinian state are among the most important issues facing the Starmer government.

Thamoudi said about the interactions between the European Union and the United Kingdom: “The Labor Party was one of the opponents of Britain’s exit from the European Union and has usually had a positive approach to interacting with this union.” However, naturally, according to the exit that happened, it is no longer possible for Britain to return to the European Union. Also, Britain can no longer return to the single market and customs union. Therefore, Britain will seek to improve its relations with the European Union, and we will see the deepening of bilateral relations.

The European expert explained Britain’s relations with NATO: “Naturally, Britain is considered the most important supporter of NATO during the several decades of NATO’s formation and considers NATO to be a main pillar for global and European security. In this area, NATO and Britain will probably have good relations. As in the previous British government, relations were the same, and basically, with the change of governments, there will be no difference in Britain’s approach to NATO.”

Stating that we will not see any particular difference in some of Britain’s general policies on important international issues, he continued: “In the matter of Ukraine, financial, military, diplomatic and political support of this country will continue against Russia. The manifesto of the Labor Party also mentions that London will try to pave the way for Ukraine to join NATO, which will be somewhat challenging. It is also mentioned in the manifesto that a particular court should be established to investigate Russia’s crimes in the attack on Ukraine.

According to this expert, the issue of China is also discussed in British foreign policy. When we examine the strategic documents of the European Union, NATO, and the United States in recent years, we find that China, which used to be considered a colleague, has now become a competitor. The same approach will be pursued by the new British government, and this government will try to manage its relations with Beijing.

Thamoudi explained, “They will put a triad on the agenda for relations with Beijing. It means cooperation when possible, competition when needed, and challenge when necessary. This British commitment indicates that the country will cooperate with China in some areas. Still, the parties may face challenges in a series of issues, such as trade in the South China Sea, Taiwan, and the Aukus Treaty.

Thamodi said: One of the important issues regarding the Middle East will be the Palestine and Gaza issue, and the Labor Party and the British government will seek to establish an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and release the hostages.

He added: “The approach of the former governments of Britain and other European governments has always been to recognize the Palestinian state eventually to achieve a two-state solution. In the manifesto of the Labor Party, it is also mentioned that the establishment of a Palestinian state is the definite and inevitable right of the Palestinians, and the new British government will work in this direction.

Finally, Thamoudi discussed the relations between London and Tehran during the period when the Labor Party came to power and said, “We will see a different approach from the Labor Party compared to the era of Tony Blair and Jack Straw. “It seems that today, this party has a negative view of Iran, and it will probably make more efforts to include the IRGC in the list of terrorist groups.

This expert stated that it seems the recent elections in Iran could prevent this British action and emphasized: “Because such an action will deal a heavy blow to the relations between Tehran and London.” Of course, the coming into office of the government of Mr. Pezeshkian will likely soften the relations to some extent. It should also be noted that when governments gain power, they do not implement many of their election slogans, and the IRGC issue will probably be in this category.

He added: “In the previous British government, there was a discrepancy between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regard, but today, this coordination has been formed, and the Labor Party will probably try to go in the direction of making this happen through the existing mechanisms.”

He added: “Of course, placing the IRGC in the list of terrorist groups by London will face some obstacles Because a specific case must be formed and a verdict issued that can be relied upon. In fact, Britain has to start a judicial process, which will have a difficult path. At the same time, the election in the United States of America is also influential in this regard.”