Fact Check: Keir Starmer had a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before leaving London, emphasizing the need for calm amid escalating tensions in the Middle East on October 2023.

Fact Check: "Keir Starmer had a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before leaving London, emphasizing the need for calm amid escalating tensions in the Middle East on October 2023."

What We Know

On October 2023, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer did indeed have a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before departing London. According to reports, both leaders discussed the "gravely concerning situation" in the Middle East and emphasized the need for calm amid rising tensions, particularly following recent military actions involving Israel and Iran (source-1, source-4). Starmer reiterated the importance of de-escalation in the region during this conversation, aligning with his broader diplomatic efforts to manage the situation (source-2, source-3).

Analysis

The claim that Keir Starmer spoke with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and stressed the need for calm is supported by multiple credible sources. Reports from various news outlets confirm that Starmer's discussions included a focus on de-escalation in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran (source-5, source-6). These sources are reliable, as they come from established news organizations that cover international politics and have a history of accurate reporting.

Moreover, the context of Starmer's conversation is critical. It occurred amidst heightened military activity in the region, including Israeli operations against Iranian targets. Starmer's emphasis on de-escalation reflects a broader diplomatic strategy that seeks to mitigate conflict and maintain stability in the Middle East (source-4). This aligns with the UK government's position on the matter, which has been to advocate for calm and dialogue among involved parties.

While the sources are generally reliable, it is important to note that some may have varying degrees of bias based on their national perspectives. However, the consistency of the reports across multiple outlets lends credibility to the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The evidence clearly supports the claim that Keir Starmer had a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before leaving London, during which they emphasized the need for calm amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The corroboration from multiple credible sources reinforces the accuracy of this claim.

Sources

1. British PM, Saudi Crown Prince discuss 'gravely concerning' Mideast situation
2. Keir Starmer reiterates need to 'de-escalate' Israel-Iran conflict
3. Keir Starmer reiterates need to 'de-escalate' Israel-Iran conflict
4. UK moves jets to Middle East as Starmer refuses to rule out defending Israel
5. Saudi Crown Prince, UK PM discuss Mideast tensions
6. Saudi crown prince discusses Israeli military operations
7. Keir Starmer reiterates need to 'de-escalate' Israel-Iran conflict