When the Prime Minister was informed about the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, 62, over the telephone on Friday so stunned was Mr Johnson that he simply uttered the word “f***”, the Sunday Mirror reports. Mr Johnson has been on holiday since Boxing Day with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds on the Caribbean Island of Mustique, and has faced criticism for his silent stance on Iran. It is understood the UK was given no prior warning of the attack from Washington and British troops stationed in Baghdad were first alerted to the air strikes by US forces in the Iraqi capital.
The Prime Minister is expected to return to London today where he is likely to hold meetings with ministers and national security adviser Sir Mark Sedwill.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has confirmed he has been in “constant contact” with Mr Johnson over the growing tensions in the Middle East.
Asked whether Mr Johnson should return from break on Sky News’ Ridge On Sunday, Mr Raab said: “The Prime Minister is in charge. In fact I’ve been in constant contact with him over the Christmas break on a whole range of foreign policy issues.
“We were in touch on Friday with relation to the situation in Iraq and the whole Government is working very closely together.
“I spoke to the [US] Defence Secretary last night, I talked to the [US] National Security Adviser on Friday and we’re very clear on the strategy and how we’re implementing it and he’ll be back in play tomorrow in the UK.”
Mr Raab insisted the Government is working towards “de-escalation” in the region and is working closely with US, European and Canadian allies.
He also confirmed he would be meeting personally with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo next week.
The Foreign Secretary added: “What really matters here is that the Government has got a very clear strategy and message is that we want to see de-escalation, we’re going to do everything we can to protect the UK diplomatic missions and we’re going about that business.
“I’ve been hitting the phones hard in relation to all our international partners, and as you said, I’ll be travelling and meeting with our European partners, our American friends, I’ll be in Montreal meeting my Canadian opposite number as well.
“And so the diplomatic effort goes on and indeed the Prime Minister has been engaged in that as well.”
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Defence minister, Ben Wallace, ordered the HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare to return to escort duties in the major oil shipping route
Mr Wallace said: “The government will take all necessary steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time.”
Meanwhile, military chiefs are understood to have ordered 400 soldiers training local forces in Iraq to scrap their duties to switch to “force protection” to defend themselves and British diplomats from revenge strikes.