Iran has emerged from its war with America and Israel “strategically stronger” than it was before it started, according to a former UK diplomat.

Lord Peter Ricketts, who was also national security adviser between 2010 and 2012, said Tehran has been “hugely damaged” economically and militarily since the conflict began more than five weeks ago.

However, he said “strategically … it comes out stronger” than it went into the war.

His comments came after Trump pulled back from the brink by agreeing a two-week ceasefire in the war.

“Iran wants it to happen, they’ve had enough,” the president declared on his Truth Social account.

But Speaking to Radio 4′s Today programme, Lord Ricketts said: “It’s still standing, it has shown the massive power it has in controlling the Strait of Hormuz [and] the vulnerability of the Gulf countries to attacks from Iran – none of those lessons are going to be unlearned.

“And for America, in the end [Donald Trump’s] objective for getting a ceasefire was the re-opening of the Strait, which was a consequence of the war he chose to pursue.

“He has not got any agreed limits on missile capability, on the nuclear programme, all of that is still to play for. So right now I think that Iran’s position in the region strategically is strengthened.”

Lord Ricketts, who is also a former UK ambassador to Paris, said some smaller countries in the Gulf may even seek closer ties with Iran in the wake of the war, while Saudi Arabia may move closer to China.

He said: “They are going to across the water from Iran for all time, whereas American interest in the Gulf will wane inevitably as other issues press in.

“I think Saudi Arabia will look to strengthen their relationship with China, which at least looks a little bit more stable and reliable as a country than this highly unpredictable and volatile America.”

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