DOMINIC Raab today defended America’s decision to kill Iranian military chief General Qasem Soleimani and warned that a war will only help terrorists.
The Foreign Secretary called for calm in the region after a series of frantic phone-calls with Iraq, the US and other European allies in the wake of the crisis.
8
8
But he said he was “sympathetic” with President Trump ordering a drone attack on him in Baghdad on Friday, and described him as a “regional menace”.
Speaking to Sky News this morning, he said: “We understand their position.
“They have a right to exercise self-defence.
“He was not some innocent victim.”
The Foreign Secretary said he was working to try and stabilise tensions in the Middle East, and stressed that a “war is in no one’s interest”.
“The only people who would gain would be Da’esh”, he said.
“No one wants, I don’t think anyone benefit from a war in the Middle East.”
IRAN CRISIS LATEST
- Yesterday Iran pinpointed 35 “key US targets” for attack after the assassination of its top general
- But President Trump warned he would unleash his new two trillion dollar arsenal on 52 targets “very hard and very fast” if revenge is sought on the US
- Rockets were fired near the US Embassy in Baghdad and at an airbase housing American troops
- Mourners chanted “death to America” at the funeral of Qasem Soleimani
- Thousands of Brit holidaymakers in Turkey and Dubai were warned to be “vigilant” by the Foreign Office, who updated their advice for travel across the Middle East
- SAS troops were last night being sent to the Middle East to rescue stranded Brits if needed
- Boris Johnson is expected back in the UK later today – and has been in “constant” contact with the Foreign Secretary over the crisis
Mr Raab stressed there was a “route to allow Iran to come in from the international cold – that opportunity is there for them if they do the right things. De-escalate and… engage in proper, meaningful diplomacy.”
Despite President Trump failing to tell Boris Johnson of the impending airstrike, the Foreign Secretary said Britain was still “very close” with the Americans about the crisis.
He will be meeting with US Secretary of State for Defence, Mike Pompeo next week on a planned trip to Washington.
Yesterday he said some allies had been “not as helpful” as they could have been over the situation.
Mr Raab insisted “we are on the same page with our American partners.”
He defended the PM’s decision to continue his holiday in Mustique, which he expected to return from later today.
“The PM is in charge,” Mr Raab said earlier.
“We have been in constant contact over the break. He will be back in play tomorrow.”
RETALIATION ATTACK
Senior US advisers fear a retaliation attack from Iran could be seen “within weeks” either at home or abroad.
And Trump has now issued a furious warning against Iran and vowed to attack 52 targets if it takes revenge for the airstrike on Soleimani.
He tweeted: “Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for our ridding the world of their terrorist leader who had just killed an American and badly wounded many others, not to mention all of the people he had killed over his lifetime, including recently hundreds of Iranian protesters.
“He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years.
“Let this serve as a warning that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago).
“Some at a very high level and important to Iran and the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, will be hit very fast and very hard. The USA wants no more threats.”
He later added: “The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World!
“If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way…and without hesitation!”
8
8
8
Amir Hatami, Iran’s defence minister, has threatened the US with “crushing revenge” for Gen Soleimani’s “unjust assassination”.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said “severe revenge awaits the criminals” behind the attack.
8
8
