Boris Johnsonhas strongly backed the US’s decision to kill the senior Iranian general Qassem Suleimani in a missile strike, telling prime minister’s questions that while he could not comment on the legality of the act, “most reasonable people” would think the operation was justified.
Making his first parliamentary appearance of the year, followingIranian retaliatory attackson Iraqi bases hosting US and coalition forces overnight, the prime minister condemned the Iranian response, and called for calm.
Jeremy Corbyntold PMQs that the US attack had greatly destabilized the region, accusing Johnson of being “unable to stand up to President Trump” because of his need for a swift post-Brexit trade deal with the US.
Johnson began by condemning the Iranian strikes, which did not kill or injure any coalition forces. “Iran should not repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks but must instead pursue urgent de-escalation,” he said.
Asked by Corbyn whether he would oppose “any further retaliation or escalation in violence”, the PM confirmed he would, pointing to joint European calls for calm and saying he was “working solidly” with allies over this.
The Labor leader then asked whether the US operation to kill Suleimani was permitted under international law. He said: “The government has said that it is sympathetic to the assassination of General Suleimani. What evidence has the prime minister got to suggest that this attack on him and his death was not an illegal act by the United States? ”
Johnson replied: “Clearly the strict issue of legality is not for the UK to determine, since it was not our operation. But I think most reasonable people would accept that the United States has a right to protect its bases and its personnel. ”
The prime minister further defended the operation, saying Suleimani had been a long-time instigator of violence in the region and had “the blood of British troops on his hands”.
Corbyn said he was not convinced by this argument: “If we stand by international law, as I’m sure the government does and would want to, then surely killing somebody in a foreign territory is an illegal act and should be condemned as such. If we believe in international law, that should be the solution to the problems in the world. ”
A rocket attack on an Iraqi military base near Kirkuk kills an American contractor and injures US and Iraqi soldiers. The US blames Shia militia group, Kata’ib Hizbullah (KH)
Protesters storm the US embassy in Baghdad, trapping diplomats inside while chanting “Death to America” and slogans in support of pro-Iranian militias. At one point they breached the main gate and smashed their way into several reception rooms. The rampage was carried out with the apparent connivance of local Iraqi security forces who allowed protesters inside the highly protected Green Zone
He went on to condemn the US killing, and to say that Johnson was unable to challenge Trump on his actions.
“The United States’ actions have undoubtedly escalated the risk of a dangerous conflict in an already destabilized region, putting civilians and UK troops and nationals at risk, and leaving theIrannuclear deal in danger of being dead in the water, ”the Labor leader said.
“This government’s response is not putting the interests of this country first, but instead seems more interested in prioritizing the prime minister’s relationship with President Trump over the security of the region and of this country.
“Isn’t the truth that this prime minister is unable to stand up to President Trump because he has hitched his wagon to a trade deal with the United States?”
Johnson responded by calling this “absolute fiction”. He added: “But what I will say is that the UK will continue to work for de-escalation in the region.”
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