New UK government may threaten London’s Iran policy

Significance

The aim is to maintain some political distance from the US policy towards Iran. The United Kingdom will be hoping for support from France, Germany and Spain, among others.

Impacts

• European powers will be more inclined to support Hunt’s plans as they avoid direct alignment with the United States.
• Washington could put pressure on the Europeans to toughen their position on Iran in return for shipping security support.
• Iran will continue to apply pressure on the international community through additional threatening actions in the Gulf.