Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told US President Donald Trump that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, while also pressing the United States over the detention of British citizen and Hong Kong media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai.
The issues were discussed during Burnham’s first face-to-face meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
According to the UK Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders discussed Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, Ukraine, migration, trade, the Falkland Islands, Diego Garcia and Lai’s case during their talks.
Burnham Raises Iran Nuclear Programme
Iran’s nuclear programme was among the key international security issues discussed by the two leaders.
The UK government said Burnham emphasised that Iran must never possess a nuclear weapon, while also stressing the importance of reopening global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The issue has particular economic significance for Britain and other countries because disruption around the strategic waterway has affected energy markets and contributed to wider cost-of-living pressures.
Trump also reiterated the US position that Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon.
Reuters reported that, following his meeting with Burnham, Trump said the United States and Iran had continued talking and that he believed a settlement could eventually be reached.
Trump nevertheless maintained that Washington would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
The comments came as diplomatic efforts continued alongside the wider conflict involving Iran and the United States.
Jimmy Lai Case Also Discussed
Burnham also raised the case of Jimmy Lai, a British citizen who has been detained in Hong Kong.
The UK government said the prime minister reiterated the need for Lai’s immediate release during his meeting with Trump.
Lai, a prominent Hong Kong media figure and founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper, was arrested in 2020 under Hong Kong’s national security law. His case has become a major issue in Britain’s relations with China.
British officials have continued to call for his release, while Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have defended the legal proceedings against him.
According to reporting by The Guardian, Trump was also understood to have agreed to raise Lai’s case in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The development places Lai’s detention within the broader diplomatic relationship between Britain, the United States and China.
Strait of Hormuz and Economic Concerns
The meeting also focused on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international shipping route through which a significant share of global oil supplies normally passes.
The UK government said both leaders discussed the importance of restoring freedom of navigation through the waterway.
For Britain, the issue has a direct domestic dimension because disruption to energy supplies can affect fuel prices, inflation and household living costs.
Trump has argued that an end to the conflict would help reduce pressure on energy prices. Reuters reported that he said he expected prices to fall once the war ended.
Such statements remain tied to the outcome of the conflict and developments in global energy markets.
Ukraine Also on the Agenda
The leaders also discussed the war in Ukraine and Britain’s continuing support for the country.
According to Downing Street, Trump recognised the strength of Britain’s support for Ukrainians since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The UK government said the two leaders discussed the importance of securing a lasting peace in Ukraine.
The issue remains an important part of Britain’s relationship with Washington, particularly as European governments assess their security commitments and the future of Western support for Ukraine.
Wider UK-US Relationship
The meeting was the first in-person encounter between Burnham and Trump since Burnham became British prime minister.
The two leaders have previously spoken by telephone, but the New York meeting provided their first opportunity for direct discussions.
The UK Prime Minister’s Office described the relationship between Britain and the United States as close and highlighted the importance of trade between the two countries.
Trump also spoke positively about the relationship after the meeting.
According to The Guardian, Trump said relations with Britain were stronger than they had been under Burnham’s predecessor, Keir Starmer.
The US president also discussed issues including energy, immigration and the UK’s economic relationship with the United States.
Diego Garcia Dispute
Another issue discussed was Diego Garcia, the strategically important island in the Indian Ocean that hosts a major UK-US military facility.
Burnham told Trump that Britain was committed to working with all relevant parties to find a solution over the future of the Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia.
Trump has publicly criticised the UK’s agreement concerning the Chagos Islands, describing the arrangement negatively and stressing the strategic importance of the territory.
The issue has become another point of discussion in the wider UK-US relationship because of Diego Garcia’s importance to military operations in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
What the Meeting Means
The discussions demonstrate how Britain’s relationship with the United States intersects with several major international issues, including nuclear proliferation, energy security, the war in Ukraine, China and global trade.
For Britain, the Iran conflict also carries economic consequences because changes in oil prices and shipping routes can affect inflation and household costs.
The discussion of Jimmy Lai adds a human-rights and consular dimension to Britain’s wider engagement with China and the United States.
At the same time, the two governments continue to cooperate on defence, trade and international security despite differences over several foreign-policy questions.
The meeting therefore combined immediate security concerns with longer-term diplomatic and economic issues.
What Happens Next
Trump is expected to continue discussions concerning Iran as Washington and Tehran explore the possibility of a settlement.
Burnham will also continue Britain’s diplomatic engagement over Ukraine, the Strait of Hormuz and the case of Jimmy Lai.
The UK government has not indicated that the meeting itself produced a final agreement on any of the major disputes discussed.
Further developments are expected as leaders attending the UN General Assembly continue their diplomatic engagements in New York.
For now, Britain’s position remains that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz should be restored, and Jimmy Lai should be released.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- UK Prime Minister’s Office and 10 Downing Street
- Reuters
- Associated Press
- The Guardian
- Sky News
