Britain has come out in support of US President Donald Trump, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Defence Minister exclaiming the US is “entitled to defend itself” following air strikes that killed Iranian military General Qassem Soleimani.
In the absence of Mr Johnson, who is on a Caribbean holiday with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds, Defence minister Ben Wallace said Washington has a right to respond to earlier attacks from Iran that resulted in an assault on the US embassy in Baghdad.
Mr Wallace urged all parties to show restraint following the strikes at a Baghdad airport that killed the General, but said its closest ally was entitled to defend itself against an imminent threat.
Mr Wallace said in a statement sighted by Igbere TV that he had spoken to his US counterpart Mark Esper on Saturday afternoon.
“We urge all parties to engage to de-escalate the situation”, he said.
“Under international law the United States is entitled to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to their citizens.”
Mr Wallace has also confirmed Royal Navy ships will again be used to escort British-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
