FOREIGN Secretary David Lammy has refused to say whether US strikes on Iran were illegal.
The US attacked three sites in Iran at the weekend, inserting itself into Israel’s war aimed at destroying the country’s nuclear programme.
Asked about the lawfulness of the strikes on Monday, the Foreign Secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that as the UK was "not involved" it was "for the Americans to discuss those issues".
It was put to him that the UK Government had a firm view on whether Russia attacking Ukraine was legal, which he said was not a “moral equivalence”.
He said: “There isn’t a moral equivalence here”.
He added it had been "crystal clear” that Moscow invaded a sovereign nation.
When it was put to him that it was extraordinary he could not answer the question as critics argue Iran is also a sovereign nation which was attacked without warning, he said: “I don’t think it is extraordinary because this was not the UK’s action, we were not involved, we were clear when this began and Israel’s attacks began that we were not involved… so I don’t say it’s not legitimate, but I can tell you as Foreign Secretary that we were not involved.”
Lammy added that Iran has to “get serious about the off-ramp that is being made available to them” and that “ultimately this can only be dealt with in diplomacy.”
Trump has floated the possibility of leadership change in Iran, hours after his team said replacing the Iranian government was not the aim of US attacks.
Iran's military has vowed a "decisive response" after Trump said US strikes caused "monumental damage" to Iranian nuclear sites.
The UN's nuclear watchdog has called for a ceasefire in order to inspect the damage.
Asked about Trump’s posts on Truth Social about regime change in Tehran, Lammy said: “There will be further tweets on many issues over the next three-and-a-half years of Donald Trump’s leadership that you will be discussing… the rhetoric is strong but actually I can tell you, having spoken to the Secretary of State, having sat in the White House, that this is targeted action to deal with Iran’s nuclear capability.”
He added: “I’m very conscious that when I met colleagues in the White House on Thursday that they were considering all of the options… we knew that, you knew that as journalists. And Donald Trump made a decision to act to degrade that capability.
"It may well have set back Iran by several years. That was a decision that he took.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Iran’s nuclear programme is a “grave threat” which the US military action would “alleviate”.
He has been accused of providing "political cover" for Israel and the US.
The US attacked three sites in Iran including the Fordo facility, which is buried deep underground.
In an address to the nation from the White House, Trump warned there could be further strikes if Iran retaliates.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned the attacks “will have everlasting consequences” and that Tehran “reserves all options” to retaliate.
