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US tells Iran 'ball is in your court' as it braces for response to killing of top general

The defence secretary says Qassem Soleimani was "no friend of the UK or our allies" and criticised Iran's record on human rights.

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'He's no longer a monster... he's dead'
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The US is "open" to discussions but is "just as prepared to deliver a forceful response" if Iran hits back after the killing of General Soleimani, the US defence secretary has said.

Mark Esper has told a news conference: "We're seeking a diplomatic solution - but first this will require Iran to de-escalate.

"It will require the regime to come to the table with the goal of preventing further bloodshed and it will require them to cease their malign activities throughout the region."

ARLINGTON, VA  DECEMBER 20: Secretary of Defense Mark Esper holds an end of year press conference at the Pentagon on December 20, 2019 in Arlington, Virginia. Esper and Milley fielded questions on a wide range of topics, including the situation in North Korea and a recent Washington Post referred to as the "Afghanistan Papers." (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Image: Mark Esper said the US did not want to go to war with Iran

He added: "We are open to having this discussion but we are just as prepared to deliver a forceful response to defend our interests."

And he said: "The American people should know that their safety is in the hands of the strongest, most capable military in the world."

F-35A aircraft form up during an exercise at Hill Air Force Base, Utah
Image: F-35A aircraft form up during an exercise at Hill Air Force Base, Utah

"The ball is in their court, what they do next will determine what happens in the subsequent moves," he said.

US President Donald Trump insisted his military is "totally prepared" to attack in the case of an Iran response and claimed the airstrike at Baghdad airport which killed Gen Soleimani "did a lot countries a big favour".

More on Iran

Appearing to row back on his suggestions that Iranian cultural sites were among a list of targets, he said: "They're allowed to kill our people, they're allowed to maim our people, they're allowed to blow up everything and there's nothing that stops them and we are, according to various laws, supposed to be very careful with their cultural heritage.

President Trump has defended the killing of Qassem Soleimani
Image: President Trump has defended the killing of Qassem Soleimani

"And you know what? If that's what the law is... I like to obey the law. But think of it. They kill our people, they blow up our people and we have to be very gentle with their cultural institutions.

"I will say this: if Iran does anything that they shouldn't be doing they're going to be suffering the consequences and very strongly."

He added: "We're totally prepared and likewise we're totally prepared to attack if we need to."

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'We urge all parties to de-escalate'

Speaking about Gen Soleimani, he said: "He was a monster. He's dead and that's a good thing. He was planning a very big attack... and we stopped him."

The comments followed the UK taking "urgent measures" to protect Britons and its interests in the Gulf after the killing of Iran's top general.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told the House of Commons that Qassem Soleimani was "no friend of the UK or our allies" and criticised Iran's record on human rights, including holding dual nationals in jail.

He said its actions had a "seriously destabilising impact in the region".

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Corbyn accuses PM of being too scared to stand up to Trump

Mr Wallace said: "The Department for Transport are reviewing the threat state and advice to Red Ensign shipping on a daily basis. Supported by the Ministry of Defence, we will issue guidance imminently.

"At the same time, defence are changing the readiness of our forces in the region - including helicopters and ships on stand-by to assist if the need arises."

Mr Wallace said the UK is working with the other E3 countries - France and Germany - to restore the Iran nuclear deal.

He said: "Her Majesty's government urges Iran to return to the normal behaviour of the country it aspires to be and resist the urge to retaliate.

"None of us wants conflict, none of us wants our citizens, our friends and our allies to be put at risk."

Iran: General Soleimani being buried in a 'martyrs' cemetery'
Iran: General Soleimani being buried in a 'martyrs' cemetery'

Mr Wallace said the UK government will look at the implications of the Iraqi parliament's vote which called for the expulsion of foreign troops.

But he said the government should allow them to remain, reminding them the coalition was there at the request of the Iraqi government to deal with the threat of Islamic State.

An areal view of the Azadi tower during the funeral of Qassem Soleimani
Image: An aerial view of the Azadi tower in Tehran during the funeral of Qassem Soleimani

He said: "Our commitment to Iraq's stability and sovereignty is unwavering and we urge the Iraqi government to ensure the coalition is able to continue our work countering this shared threat."

He also said Boris Johnson had been speaking to leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump and Angela Merkel for several days.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the questions he set out to the prime minister on Friday had not been answered and accused Mr Johnson of hiding behind his defence secretary.

He asked if Mr Johnson was scared to stand up to Mr Trump because he "hitched his wagon to a Trump trade deal".

He said: "This assassination puts British troops and civilians in danger."

He called the killing of the Iranian general illegal and asked how the government could see it was legal if they did.

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Pompeo says 'international law' will be observed

Mr Corbyn later avoided calling Gen Soleimaini a terrorist, failing three times to answer questions about it with a yes or no.

He said: "Soleimani is the head of special forces of Iran, they obviously operate in all kinds of places that you and I would not agree with or want.

"That is not the point. The point is it's an illegal act that took place and if we want to end illegal acts by anybody, you don't commit them yourself."

Mr Johnson led a meeting of the National Security Council on Tuesday afternoon.

It comes as NATO says it will be moving personnel out of Iraq due to safety concerns.

A NATO official said: "In everything that we do, the safety of our personnel is paramount. As such, we have temporarily suspended our training on the ground, and we are taking all precautions necessary to protect our people.

"This includes the temporary repositioning of some personnel to different locations both inside and outside of Iraq. NATO maintains a presence in Iraq. And we are prepared to continue our training and capacity-building when the situation permits."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held firm to the American line, saying "we got it right".

Letter saying US troops will pull out of Baghdad was 'an honest mistake'
Letter saying US troops will pull out of Baghdad was 'an honest mistake'

He also said he was confident that should Iran "make another bad choice", US President Donald Trump would respond "in a decisive, strong manner".

British ministers including Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Mr Wallace, have sought to distance the UK from the US suggesting cultural sites might be targeted as part of US strikes on Iran.

Mr Pompeo said every target was being reviewed and the US would conduct itself inside the international laws of war.

Qassem Soleimani: At least 40 mourners killed in stampede at burial ceremony for Iranian general
Qassem Soleimani: At least 40 mourners killed in stampede at burial ceremony for Iranian general

Ahead of the council meeting, Mr Johnson spoke to Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "The leaders discussed the situation in Iraq following the death of Qaseem Soleimani. They agreed on the importance of reducing tensions and finding a diplomatic way through the current crisis, and of continuing to work together in the fight against terror.

"They agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon and must comply with the terms of the nuclear deal."