A “strong case” exists for Donald Trump to launch a US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites with bunker-busting bombs, says an ex-MI6 chief.
Sir John Sawers, who was head of the Secret Intelligence Service from 2009 to 2014, also believes it may be better if the US president “got on with it”.
He also played down the prospect of a negotiated deal to end the Israel-Iran war in the short-term and dismissed the idea that Tehran was not seeking to build a nuclear weapon.
Trump is reported to have signed off an attack on Iran’s nuclear sites but not yet to have made a final decision on going ahead.
Sir John told BBC radio: “In this instance, the Israelis having started this attack on Iran, the idea of a negotiated solution does not sound very credible at this stage.
“Having started this, I think there is a good case for the Americans to destroy the most deeply-buried nuclear facilities in Iran.
“And in some ways it would be better if they got on with it because then the wider conflict between Israel and Iran would have a chance of drawing to a close.”
On the challenges of an attack, he added: “It’s not simple and straightforward. The facilities at Fordow, are buried 80 maybe 100 metres underneath the surface, surrounded by rock and concrete.
“But I think there is a strong case for doing that.”
Only America is believed to have weapons which can destroy Iran’s secret nuclear site at Fordow, with its GBU-57 bunker-busting bomb, which could be delivered by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.
Britain will not break international law on the Israel-Iran war, a minister stressed on Thursday as the UK distanced itself from Trump by calling for de-escalation of the spiralling crisis in the Middle East.
The UK’s Attorney General Lord Hermer is reported to have raised concerns that joining attacks on Tehran could be illegal.
Such a position could limit any British support for the US if Trump decides to bomb Iranian nuclear sites.
UK energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh told Times Radio: “Legal advice is for the Prime Minister, and I think that’s where it will stay and you can understand why I won’t comment on that.
“But what I will say is that we have a Prime Minister who is a lawyer and a human rights lawyer, he will obviously do everything that is in accord with international law.
“No-one wants an escalation.”
On Wednesday, Sir Keir chaired an emergency COBRA meeting on the crisis.
Ministers reportedly discussed a range of scenarios, including offering the US military support in the Gulf and even firing submarine-launched missiles at Iran.
Last year, the Royal Air Force helped the Israel Defence Forces shoot down Iranian missiles fired at several Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv.
This time, American stealth bombers could also use joint UK-US military bases in the Chagos Islands and Cyprus in preparation for a potential assault with bunker-busting bombs.
But Lord Hermer, a human rights barrister who was previously among a group of Jewish lawyers urging Israel to respect international law in Gaza, is reportedly reluctant to sign off on any offensive operations.
One official who is said to have viewed his legal advice told The Spectator: “The AG has concerns about the UK playing any role in this except for defending our allies.”
Speculation about US military action is mounting after Trump told reporters: “I may do it, I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
