The UK would have no issue with the removal of the Iranian regime, a senior minister has indicated, as protests against the government continue across the country. Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said the priority was to stem the violence in Iran, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated she would 'not have an issue' with regime change.
Speaking to Sky News, Alexander described Iran as a hostile state that poses a security threat in the Middle East and represses its own people. She declined to comment on US President Donald Trump's threat to use military force to support protesters, saying she would not be drawn on America's foreign policy.
Badenoch went further, telling the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that Iran 'would very happily wipe out the UK if it felt it could get away with it'. She said it would be right for the US and its allies to be involved in removing the regime, given the threat it poses.
In the US, Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene if Iranian authorities kill protesters. On Friday, he said the authorities were 'in big trouble', adding: 'You better not start shooting, because we'll start shooting too.' On Saturday, he posted on Truth Social: 'Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!'
More than 400 people are reported to have been killed and thousands detained during weeks of protests, which began over economic grievances. An internet shutdown imposed by the authorities has largely cut off protesters from the outside world, but videos show thousands demonstrating in Tehran, chanting: 'Death to Khamenei' and 'Long live the shah.'
The speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, warned on Sunday that the US military and Israel would be legitimate targets if America struck Iran. Lawmakers shouted 'Death to America!' as he made the threat.
