[Up First] UK PM Starmer Resigns, First Round Of US-Iran Talks, Iran Deal Scrutiny

Keir Starmer announced his resignation as Labour Party leader and Prime Minister, less than two years after winning a landslide

majority in Parliament. His approval ratings had fallen to historic lows, weighed down by personal scandals — including the controversial appointment of a figure linked to Jeffrey Epstein as ambassador to Washington — and a widespread sense that he had failed to deliver meaningful change after 14 years of Conservative austerity.

His own parliamentary party began turning on him

in recent weeks. Starmer accepted the outcome “with good grace” and will remain as caretaker prime minister until a successor is chosen. Nominations open July 9, setting up a summer-long leadership contest.

Andy Burnham, the popular outgoing mayor of Manchester, is the frontrunner. Known for his ability to connect with ordinary voters and his record of bringing economic development to post-industrial northern England, Burnham was just sworn into Parliament. He would become Britain’s seventh prime minister in ten years — a revolving door

that many trace back to the Brexit vote ten years ago this week.

The first round of U.S.-Iran negotiations concluded in Switzerland after a long and turbulent day. Vice President JD Vance led the American delegation and expressed cautious optimism, but the talks nearly collapsed after President Trump posted bellicose

remarks on social media threatening new military strikes against Iran. Iranian media briefly reported that their delegation was walking out, though talks ultimately continued into the early hours.

Mediators Pakistan and Qatar issued a joint statement citing “encouraging progress,” and both sides agreed to a 60-day roadmap toward a final deal. The framework includes a dedicated working group on the war in Lebanon, a communications channel for the Strait of Hormuz, and lower-level working groups meeting throughout the week.

The situation in Lebanon remains the most urgent flashpoint. Iran’s foreign minister declared the Lebanon ceasefire the first real test of the peace effort. Sunday marked the first day without recorded gunfire since fighting erupted on March 2, though Israeli troops remain deep inside southern Lebanese territory and both Israel and Hezbollah are signaling they will not easily stand down.

Even as diplomats work toward a deal, President Trump is struggling to build domestic support. His MAGA base is angry that he launched military strikes against Iran at all, while Republican hawks in Congress argue the emerging agreement is far too lenient and fails to permanently dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. The tension places Trump in a rare political bind — simultaneously accused of being too aggressive and too accommodating.

The political stakes are high

with midterm elections on the horizon. NPR’s Mara Liasson notes that Trump needs a foreign-policy win he can clearly define as a victory, but the deal’s ambiguity makes that difficult. GOP hawks worry that a weak deal simply delays rather than eliminates Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon.

The administration faces a narrow window to lock in an agreement before domestic political pressure — from both the left and the right — forces a harder line. How Trump frames the final deal to his fractious

coalition may matter as much as its actual contents.