Trump’s killing of Soleimani brings the world that bit closer to major conflict

The assassination of Qasem Soleimani is an act of war by Washington against Tehran. It was criminal aggression by President Trump and will set the Middle East on fire worse than the Bush/blair invasion in 2003.

There will be some handwringing in Saudi Arabia and Israel at Soleimani’s death. So, too, in the boardrooms of the arms manufacturers and oil companies. War in the Middle East may mean death and misery for millions but it means big profits coming their way.

The attack by Trump is the latest in a 60-year history of Western intervention in Iran. In 1953 the democratically elected leader, Mohamed Mosadeq, was overthrown in a coup. He was replaced by the Shah, who led the most repressive regime in the Middle East until he, too, was overthrown by the mullahs in 1979.

Trump’s attack is not a sign of strength. Rather, it’s born out of the economic chaos, instability and chaos paralysing the world economy.

Trump, facing impeachment, is trying to manufacture a war to distract from his own troubles. He and the “Financial Mafia” calculate an explosion of violence in the Middle East will mean they will be able to suppress tensions at home.

Donald Trump’s actions mean that Iraq will move closer to Iran. The reason why Saddam Hussein was so heavily backed by the West in the 1980s was in order to stop this happening.

Another consequence of Soleimani’s killing would be to bring nuclear-armed Russia and China into any conflict. This would have incalculable consequences for the entire planet.

ALAN HINNRICHS Gillespie Terrace, Dundee

After President Trump’s illegal killing of Qasem Soleimani of Iran we are on the brink of a war in the Middle East which will impact on the whole world, including Scotland.

The BBC’S distinguished foreign correspondent John Simpson this weekend reminded us that when the Americans mistakenly shot down an Iranian airliner over the Persian Gulf it ended up with the Panam jumbo jet being blown up over Lockerbie.

Scotland needs therefore to speak out clearly against this madness and make sure we don’t get dragged into US wars which, given Boris Johnson’s close friendship with Trump, is quite likely.

Yet all I have heard from Scottish political leaders so far is silence. Jeremy Corbyn has condemned the American action, surely it’s time for Scotland’s politicians to speak out against this madness.

Of course, the best way of avoiding Scottish involvement in illegal wars is for Scotland to become independent and develop its own foreign policy based on peace rather than war.

But in the meantime Scottish political leaders, including the SNP, must firmly condemn this warlike act by Trump. HUGH KERR (MEP 1994-99)

Wharton Square, Edinburgh