As Donald Trump reveals his 'plan' for Iran, the UK must have nothing to do with it
The Iranian regime is unlikely to be bombed into submission and will instead use the rising civilian death toll to bolster its position
When explaining his refusal to take part in the US and Israel’s missile war on Iran, Keir Starmer said: “Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis, and a viable thought-through plan.”
The legality of the ongoing attacks remains open to question, but Donald Trump has now provided a semblance of a plan. “There will be no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender," he wrote on social media. "After that, and the selection of a great and acceptable leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction...”
Coupled with remarks about continuing missile strikes and downplaying a ground invasion, it appears the US hopes to bomb Iran’s leaders into submission. Trump often changes his mind but, if this really is the plan, the UK must have nothing to do with it. The Blitz during the Second World War showed how air campaigns tend to stiffen public resolve against the attackers.
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An inevitable consequence of war
Already it appears American missiles hit a primary school in Tehran with reports that at least 168 people, including many children, were killed. Such mistakes are an inevitable consequence of war, which is not to excuse them but to underline the need to include the risk when making judgments about any military action.
As the attacks continue, more mistakes are made and more civilians are killed, it will become increasingly difficult for Iranians opposed to the regime to challenge it, as this will make them appear to be on the side of those causing all the death and destruction.
Furthermore, given the regime has slaughtered its own people in their thousands, its leaders are highly unlikely to be so concerned about the death toll that they surrender their power. Instead they will use the deaths of “martyrs” as a rallying cry.
The UK should help defend neighbouring countries against Iran’s attacks and seek to aid the country's democracy movement in ousting its tyrannical regime. But it must also try to talk some sense into Trump as his current ‘plan’ is almost certain to backfire badly.
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