Humza Yousaf warns Scotland could be 'complicit in war crimes'
The Pentagon is a powerful backer and supplier of Israel, which has been accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza. A verdict is not expected for many years.
The country's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, launched a series of strikes on Iran on June 13 with US President Donald Trump confirming early on Sunday morning that his country had entered the war.
Prestwick Airport is publicly owned, and Mr Yousaf fears that its continued use by the American air force could make Scotland complicit in war crimes.
The former First Minister told the Sunday Mail: "I would hope the Scottish Government would take advice on its legal obligations and that includes planes refuelling at Prestwick.
'Scotland, including through the use of our publicly owned assets such as Prestwick, cannot be complicit.'
'The Scottish Government should be doing everything within its power to distance itself from Israel's illegal military actions, whether it's the assets we own, the limited foreign interventions we can make…Whatever we can do, we should be doing because this is the moral question of our time."
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The Herald Scotland
14 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
John Swinnney: 'This situation is a threat to us all'
He said he agreed with the UN Secretary General on the need for an end to the conflict through diplomacy. Mr Swinney said: 'The conflict in the Middle East has escalated to an intensely more dangerous and alarming level as a result of the US intervention overnight, which risks spiralling into disaster for the region and the wider world. 'The world finds itself at a profoundly dangerous moment and must pull itself back from the brink.' READ MORE: He added: 'I agree with the Secretary-General of the United Nations that we need to see immediate de-escalation and an end to the conflict through diplomacy. It is vital that the UK Government takes any and all steps it can through diplomatic channels to insist upon that. We also call on Iran to return to negotiations. 'And while the danger is clearly greatest for those in the region, make no mistake that this situation is a threat to us all. The consequences for international peace and security could be severe and it is vital that all nations work through the United Nations to de-escalate this conflict and bring about peace.' United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said earlier on Sunday he was "gravely alarmed by the use of force" by the United States against Iran. 'This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security," he said. President Donald Trump in the White House on Saturday 21 June (Image: AP) He added that there is a 'growing risk' that this conflict could 'rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world'. Mr Guterres called on member states to 'de-escalate' and 'uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law'. He said: 'At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.' The First Minister's response to the developments in the Middle East came after Sir Keir Starmer urged Iran to return to negotiations. US President Donald Trump said early on Sunday that three key nuclear sites in Iran were 'completely and fully obliterated' in the military strikes. The US is thought to have used B-2 stealth bombers to drop bunker-busting munitions on the sites – including the deeply-buried Fordo facility – as well as 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines. The US-UK base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean is not thought to have been used in the operation. The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran confirmed attacks took place on its Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz sites, but it insisted its nuclear programme will not be stopped. Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog said there are no immediate signs of radioactive contamination at the three locations following the strikes. The strikes came just days after President Trump said a decision on whether to join Israeli attacks on Iran would be delayed as international leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urged restraint. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday the US president was still hopeful of reaching a negotiated solution with Tehran and would decide on military action within two weeks. But speaking after the strikes on Iran early on Sunday, President Trump said: 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.' Trade policy minister Mr Alexander, who is the MP for Lothian East and a former international development minister, spoke to the BBC's Sunday Show. He said: 'I understand that people have woken up this morning to the news that was breaking overnight with a real sense of concern. 'I want to assure your viewers that the British Government has been putting contingencies in place. 'There have been a whole series of meetings, I and other have been attending Cobra meetings in the course of the week.' He said plans are being put in place to move UK nationals in affected countries to safety, stressing the UK 'took no part in this military action'. The Prime Minister had earlier said Iran should 'return to the negotiating table', noting the region remains 'volatile'. Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf was critical of the Prime Minister's response. He posted on social media: 'An awful statement from the PM, which ignores our collective responsibility to uphold international law. 'Supporting illegal military action in Iran, and gas-lighting us about an imminent nuclear threat, is hauntingly reminiscent of the lies told in the run up to the Iraq war.' During a protest march in London, Mr Yousaf had earlier accused the UK Government of 'abusing' anti-terror laws against the Palestine Action group, which vandalised two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Meanwhile, business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said today it would be 'naive' to think the risk of Iranian-backed terrorism in the UK will not increase as a result of the US strikes on Irainian nuclear sites. Speaking to Sky News this morning Mr Reynolds said the UK was not involved in the strikes against Iran but was informed in advance by the US. He said "no request was made" was made to the UK by the US for support. He told Sky News: "We were not and have not been involved in these attacks." But asked about the potential risk to the UK, he added: 'This is not hypothetical. There is not a week goes by without some sort of Iranian cyber attack on a key part of UK critical national infrastructure. 'There is Iranian activity on the streets of the UK, which is wholly unacceptable.' He added: 'It's already at a significant level. I think it would be naive to say that that wouldn't potentially increase. The Iranian ambassador to the UK branded the US military strikes on Iran as a violation of a United Nations charter.
The Independent
22 minutes ago
- The Independent
Trump administration denies wanting war with Iran or regime change after nuclear site bombing raid
Donald Trump's administration 'does not seek war' and is not trying to create regime change, US defense secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed after the president authorised a stunning attack on Iran. With the world reeling over the stealth bomber raids on three nuclear sites - dubbed 'Operation Midnight Hammer' - President Trump claimed he had 'completely obliterated' Iran's chances of obtaining nuclear weapons. UK and others into organising repatriation flights for citizens from Israel, Iran and surrounding countries amid fears of all-out war. Click here for the latest on the ongoing conflict. UK bases in Cyprus are on high alert with the theocratic regime in Tehran vowing revenge on America and her allies. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced he will fly to Moscow for meetings with Vladimir Putin on Monday. Meanwhile, Iran let off another barrage of missiles at Israel while US allies took stock of the latest round of international turmoil. Mr Trump's methods - which appear to have been kept secret from all but a close inner circle - were condemned by UN Secretary General António Guterres. In a statement, he said: 'I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.' The attack came despite Mr Trump apparently assuring fellow G7 leaders in Canada last week that he was seeking de-escalation. UK prime minister Keir Starmer held an emergency Cobr meeting with senior members of the government in London but backed the president's sudden move. A similar security meeting took place in France chaired by president Emmanuel Macron. The two also joined German chancellor Friedrich Merz in an E3 joint call between the UK, France and Germany. UK foreign secretary David Lammy called other allies. But Mr Hegseth admitted that knowledge of the attack had been kept to a very small group within the administration and leaders of allies were only told about it when the bombers were on their way home. On a day of drama, the US defense secretary appeared with General Dan Caine, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, at a press conference in the Pentagon. Seeking to appease anger among isolationists in Mr Trump's rightwing MAGA base, he praised the president's 'brilliant leadership'. "The operation President Trump planned was bold and it was brilliant, showing the world that American deterrence is back. When this President speaks, the world should listen," Mr Hegseth said. He admitted the operation with stealth B-2 bombers 'had been planned for weeks' and spoke of the 'deliberate deception' used to distract from Operation Midnight Hammer. This has led to speculation that Trump apparently agreeing to de-escalation at the G7 summit last week and giving Iran two weeks to get back to negotiations on Friday was in fact part of the deception. The US strikes included 14 bunker-buster bombs, more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles and over 125 military aircraft, in an operation the top U.S. general, General Caine. But despite the surprise attack overnight on Iranian nuclear sites, Mr Hegseth insisted America "does not seek war" and denied there was a desire to force regime change. Hegseth said it was important to note that U.S. strikes did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people, a veiled effort to indicate to Iran that they don't want retaliation on American targets in the region. The operation pushes the Middle East to the brink of a major new conflagration in a region already aflame for more than 20 months with wars in Gaza and Lebanon and a toppled dictator in Syria. "Iran's nuclear ambitions have been obliterated," Hegseth told reporters in a briefing, adding that said the strikes did not target Iranian troops or people. iframe title="US attacks three of Iran's key nuclear facilities" aria-label="Locator map" id="datawrapper-chart-HBGvY" src=" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="524" data-external="1"> "The operation President Trump planned was bold and it was brilliant, showing the world that American deterrence is back. When this president speaks, the world should listen," Hegseth said. vice president J.D. Vance reiterated the message in a broadcast interview describing it as 'an incredibly targeted attack' but admitted it is 'an incredibly delicate moment.' He added that Iran responding by attacking US troops would be 'the stupidest thing in the world' which would be 'met with overwhelming force.' Offering Tehran advice he added: 'If the Iranians are smart they are going to have to look in the mirror and say 'maybe we are not so good at this war thing, let's give peace a chance, let's drop our nuclear weapons program and start to make some smart decisions.'' Earlier, Iran's regime vowed revenge and accused America of breaching international law. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said: "This aggression showed that the United States is the primary instigator of the Zionist regime's hostile actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. "Although they initially tried to deny their role, after our armed forces' decisive and deterrent response and the Zionist regime's clear incapacity, they were inevitably forced to enter the field themselves." Foreign Minister Mr Araghchi announced he would seek aid from Russia in person. "We enjoy a strategic partnership and we always consult with each other and coordinate our positions," he said, referring to Russia. The attack delighted Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu who had initiated military action against Iran more than a week ago claiming it was days away from having nuclear weapons. 'Congratulations, President Trump,' he said. 'Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history... History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons." An Israeli official has suggested that Iran had enough uranium for nine nuclear bombs and could have turned it to weapons grade level 'in a matter of days.' Former UK security minister Tom Tugendhat pointed out that if Iran had been successful it could have hit London with nuclear armed ballistic missiles. But leftwing MPs in the UK including independent former Labour MP Zara Sultana accused the US of 'warmongering' and the UK of 'acting like an American poodle'. Sir Keir gave his support for the raid saying Iran should 'never be allowed nuclear weapons'. In a statement the prime minister said: 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. 'The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis'.
Reuters
26 minutes ago
- Reuters
US bombing of Iran started with a fake-out
WASHINGTON, June 22 (Reuters) - As Operation "Midnight Hammer" got underway on Saturday, a group of B-2 bombers took off from their base in Missouri and were noticed heading out toward the Pacific island of Guam, in what experts saw as possible pre-positioning for any U.S. decision to strike Iran. But they were a decoy. The real group of seven bat-winged, B-2 stealth bombers flew east undetected for 18 hours, keeping communications to a minimum, refueling in mid-air, the U.S. military revealed on Sunday. As the bombers neared Iranian airspace, a U.S. submarine launched more than two dozen Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles. U.S. fighter jets flew as decoys in front of the bombers to sweep for any Iranian fighter jets and missiles. The attack on Iran's three main nuclear sites was the largest operational strike ever by B-2 stealth bombers, and the second-longest B-2 operation ever flown, surpassed only by those following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States by al Qaeda. The B-2 bombers dropped 14 bunker-busting GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators, each weighing 30,000 pounds. The operation involved over 125 U.S. military aircraft, according to the Pentagon. From the U.S. military's perspective, the operation was a resounding tactical success. The Iranians were unable to get off a single round at the American aircraft and were caught completely flat-footed, General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon on Sunday. "Iran's fighters did not fly, and it appears that Iran's surface to air missile systems did not see us throughout the mission," Caine said. "We retained the element of surprise." Caine said initial battle damage assessments indicated that all three sites targeted sustained extremely severe damage and destruction, but he declined to speculate whether any Iranian nuclear capabilities might still be intact. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was more confident. "It was clear we devastated the Iranian nuclear program," he said, standing alongside Caine in the Pentagon briefing room. Midnight Hammer was highly classified, Caine said, "with very few people in Washington knowing the timing or nature of the plan." Many senior officials in the United States only learned of it on Saturday night from President Donald Trump's first post on social media. Hegseth said it took months of preparations to ensure the U.S. military would be ready if Trump ordered the strikes. Caine said the mission itself, however, came together in just a matter of weeks. What happens next is unclear. Gulf states, home to multiple U.S. military bases, were on high alert on Sunday as they weighed the risks of a widening conflict in the region. Guarding against blowback, the U.S. military also dispersed U.S. military assets in the Middle East and heightened force protection for U.S. troops. Hegseth said the U.S. military was positioned to defend itself in the Middle East, but also to respond against Iran if it goes through with longstanding threats to retaliate. The Trump administration said it is not looking for a wider war with Iran, with Hegseth saying private messages had been sent to Tehran encouraging them to negotiate. But Trump has also warned Iran that the U.S. is prepared to hit additional targets if needed, using far greater force. "Iran would be smart to heed those words. He said it before, and he means it," Hegseth said.
