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 that he had spoken to his US counterpart Mark Esper this afternoon.
He added: “We urge all parties to engage to de-escalate the situation.
“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.
Navy escorts were previously used to protect merchant ships in the Gulf after the seizure of the British-owned oil tanker Stena Impero near the Strait by Iranian forces in July 2019.
Mr Wallace said: “The Government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time.”
British forces had previously captured an Iranian oil tanker near Gibraltar that was accused of violating sanctions on Syria.
The killing of Soleimani has raised fears that tankers could be targeted again.
More to follow…