US has right to ‘self-defence’
UK does not lament Suleimani’s death, saying it’s part of continued fight against terror
BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday backed America’s right to “self-defence” as the fallout from US President Donald Trump’s killing of Qassem Suleimani escalated.
The PM’s official spokesperson refused to criticise the dramatic drone strike despite threats from Tehran that UK forces could be “collateral damage” in reprisals.
But Downing Street did caution that attacks on cultural sites – an idea Trump has mooted – could break international law. And the government has again appealed for Iraq not to expel British and US troops, pointing out that they are in the country to combat Isis.
In a phone call with Iraqi counterpart Adil Abdul Mahdi yesterday, Johnson stressed his commitment to “Iraq’s stability and sovereignty” after the killing on its territory. He “emphasised the importance of the continued fight against the shared threat” from the terrorist group.
Johnson is back in Westminster after his Caribbean holiday, but finds himself walking a tightrope between
Trump and other allies who want to ease tensions.
Johnson insisted Britain “will not lament” the death of Qassem Suleimani. He said the general, killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad on Friday, had played a role in the deaths of thousands of innocent people and was a “threat to all our interests”.
But he also appealed to both Trump and Iran for calm, urging both sides to encourage de-escalation.
“States have a right to take action such as this in self-defence, and the US have been clear that Suleimani was plotting imminent attacks on American diplomats and military personnel,” he said.
Iran has vowed to avenge the death of Suleimani, and a senior commander has issued a chilling warning that British forces could be hit.
An unnamed commander said: “Our forces will retaliate and target US troops in Middle East without any concern about killing its allies, including UK troops, as this has turned into a fully fledged war with much collateral damage expected.”
There are concerns that UK assets could be a “softer target” than those of the US.
Meanwhile, Trump has reacted with fury after Iraq said US and UK forces could be kicked out of the country. The president suggested the country could be hit with crippling sanctions if it follows through on the move.
The UK cautioned against the expulsion, saying it would give a major boost to Isis just as the terrorist group seems to be on the back foot.
Washington says Suleimani was the architect of Iran’s proxy wars across the Middle East and behind the deaths of hundreds of Americans in roadside bombings and other attacks.
Trump issued explosive tweets yesterday, threatening all-out war against the Iranian regime and boasted of the military arsenal at his disposal.
Referring to Iranian promises of retaliation published on social media, the US president tweeted: “These media posts will serve as notification to the US Congress that should Iran strike any US person or target, the US will quickly and fully strike back, and perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless.”
Johnson held talks with Trump, France’s president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel.
Johnson urged all sides to encourage de-escalation and said the UK had taken steps to boost the security of UK personnel and interests in the region.
Iran announced it would end its commitments to a nuclear deal it agreed with Barack Obama. It said it would no longer observe restrictions on uranium enrichment or on research and development. It said the steps could be reversed if Washington lifted its sanctions on Tehran. |