This letter shows that the government knows that US policy towards Iran is disastrous. Its actions suggest it will go along with it anyway
Stop the War Coalition
Stop the War sent the former Prime Minister a letter warning of the risks of war with Iran signed by a long list of MPs, activists, public figures and experts. The reply is below.
It is great that government spokesperson Andrew Murrison claims it ‘shares our concerns’. It is also good that he ‘regrets the US decision to withdraw’ from the Iran nuclear deal and claims ‘the government’s concern is de-escalation’. This shows a commendable grasp of the terrible risks created by the confrontational policies of our closest ally the US.
But how meaningless to be calling on the US to ‘preserve the gains’ of the Iran nuclear deal. It was the US that killed it. European partners have failed to provide any reason for Iran to stick to the deal. Worse, in practice, Britain has been playing along with US policy on Iran by, among other things, impounding the Iranian tanker Grace 1 off Gibraltar. Dominic Raab’s refusal to release it as part of a tanker swap is hardly the action of someone seeking de-escalation. This letter shows that the government knows that US policy towards Iran is disastrous. Its actions suggest it will go along with it anyway.
