US DIDN’T warn Britain it was planning airstrike: Fury over Donald Trump’s ‘surprise’ plot to wipe out Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Iraq
- Iranian taken out in a rocket attack in Baghdad in the early hours of this morning
- US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said he spoke to UK’s Dominic Raab
- But not until several hours after the military operation in the Iraqi capital
The US faced criticism today for keeping its allies including Britain in the dark about the deadly airstrike that wiped out a senior Iranian general.
Qassem Soleimani was taken out in a rocket attack in Baghdad in the early hours of this morning that appears to have been kept a closely guarded secret until it was all over.
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo confirmed that he spoke to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab this morning, but not until several hours after the military operation in the Iraqi capital.
Critics hit out at the US way of operating, saying that in the past allies like the UK and France would have been kept in the intelligence loop.
Conservative Tom Tugendhat, an ex-soldier and the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the last parliament, said: ‘I’ve long believed that the purpose of having allies is that we can surprise our enemies and not each other, and it’s been a pattern sadly, which has been a bit of a shame, that the US administration of late has not shared with us and that is a matter of concern.
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo confirmed that he spoke to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (both pictured at a December Nato summit) this morning, but not until several hours after the military operation in the Iraqi capital
Conservative Tom Tugendhat said: ‘I’ve long believed that the purpose of having allies is that we can surprise our enemies and not each other’
Writing on Twitter today, President Trump defended the action, saying: ‘‘General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time’
‘I would urge the US administration to share much more closely with allies, particularly those who are fighting alongside in the region, including us.’
General Soleimani was killed by a US air strike at Baghdad airport in Iraq ordered by President Donald Trump.
He was head of Tehran’s elite Quds Force who spearheaded military operations in the Middle East.
Writing on Twitter today, President Trump defended the action, saying: ‘‘General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more…but got caught!
The death of Soleimani (left), a figure deeply ingrained in the Iranian regime who many had assumed would be the country’s next leader, brings Iran and America to the brink of all-out war. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis had been instrumental in leading attacks on the US embassy (pictured right, outside the building)
British and American flags were burned by demonstrators protesting in Tehran against the killing this morning
‘He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself.’
Following the attack Mr Raab released a statement, saying: ‘We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani.
‘Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.’
Mr Pompeo later tweeted: ‘Discussed with Dominic Raab the recent decision to take defensive action to eliminate Qassem Soleimani.
‘Thankful that our allies recognize the continuing aggressive threats posed by the Iranian Quds Force. The U.S. remains committed to de-escalation.’