Foreign Secretary David Lammy looks set to travel more than 7,000 miles in 48 hours as the UK engages in whirlwind diplomacy as tensions in the Middle East continue to ratchet up.
Last night, he flew from London to Washington DC to meet with the United States secretary of state Marco Rubio – the American equivalent of the foreign secretary.
According to Rubio’s published itinerary, this will be taking place at 2pm local time today – 7pm UK time – and unusually will be at the White House.
There is no press access.
Lammy only arrived in the US just before 4am UK time, having left from the UK at around 7pm.
Meeting with the Iranians
Yesterday, it was reported that the E3 countries will be meeting with Iranian representatives in Geneva on Friday.
This includes Germany, France and the UK, with the group set up to engage in nuclear negotiations with Iran.
Sky News now understands Lammy will be attending this meeting as well – meaning he will have to return across the Atlantic on his government plane.
It seems that the European Union might also be involved in the talks.
Reuters reports – via German diplomatic sources – that the talks are taking place in coordination with the US.
The agency adds that they want assurances that Iran’s nuclear programme will only be used for civilian purposes.
