UK must push for diplomatic solution following US strikes on Iran, says Swinney
John Swinney has said the UK must push for a diplomatic solution delivered by the international community, following the overnight US strikes on Iran's nuclear programme.
The Scottish First Minister's response to the developments in the Middle East came after Sir Keir Starmer urged Iran to return to negotiations.
UK minister Douglas Alexander said the Government 'has been putting contingencies in place' as the region braces for any potential retaliation from Iran.
US President Donald Trump said 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.
Posting on X, Mr Swinney said: 'The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran.
'The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the UK Government must insist on that now.'
The Prime Minister had earlier said Iran should 'return to the negotiating table', noting the region remains 'volatile'.
The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran. The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the U.K. Government must insist on that now.
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) June 22, 2025
He 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.'
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.
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…
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2025
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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
20 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Attack on Islamic Centre in Belfast abhorrent and despicable
An attack on the Islamic Centre in Belfast was 'abhorrent' and 'absolutely despicable', Justice Minister Naomi Long has said. A viable device was thrown through a window of the centre during evening prayer on Friday. Advertisement A 34-year-old man was arrested and police are investigating whether the incident was a hate crime. The Alliance Party leader said it was 'despicable' that people were afraid to go to their place of worship. Police are currently at the scene of a security alert at University Road in south Belfast. A number of cordons are in place in the vicinity. A 34 year old man has been arrested and is currently in custody. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area at this time. — Police South Belfast (@PSNIBelfastS) June 21, 2025 'I think it was an abhorrent attack on people who were at worship, and I think that for any of us, we would accept that that is just not acceptable,' she told the BBC's Sunday Politics programme. 'This is not who we want to be as society. It's not what we want to be known for around the world. Advertisement 'I think it is despicable that people are afraid to go to their place of worship, afraid to go to live in their own homes or go to their school or go to their workplace because of fear of attack because of the colour of their skin or their religion. 'That just isn't acceptable, and that needs to be condemned unequivocally by everyone in society.' Mrs Long was also asked about policing resources in the wake of riots across Northern Ireland, which have been criticised as 'racist thuggery' by police. After disorder broke out in Ballymena for several nights after an alleged sexual assault of a girl, disturbances spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. Advertisement The Executive pledged an extra £5 million for the PSNI to respond. Mrs Long said that most of that funding had already been spent as the disorder had been a 'drain' on resources. Ireland Politicians condemn attack on Islamic Centre while... Read More 'They need £7 million to be able to do the first year of recruitment for the PSNI to rebuild. That money could have gone towards that. 'It's hugely frustrating at a time when our justice system is so stretched that we have people not just putting pressure on the resources of the PSNI, but destroying their own communities at a cost to everyone in our society, because that will all have to be repaired and rebuilt.' Advertisement She said £200 million in funding over five years requested by PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher was a 'potential game changer' which would 'allow us to rebuild police numbers'.
The Guardian
44 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Ban on Palestine Action as ‘terrorists' is shameful
I am a former chief constable, and once attempted to become a Labour police and crime commissioner. I'm not therefore someone easily categorised as a supporter of terrorism or criminal activity. The decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group is beyond satire (Report, 20 June). I suspect that embarrassment over hilarious security failures at an RAF base may be clouding judgment and good sense. Proscribing a group for peaceful protest – albeit illegal – is a disgrace. It is nearly as disgraceful as the continued UK support for the apartheid, ethnic-cleansing Israeli state. If the home secretary is so keen to proscribe an organisation, why not proscribe the terror group known as the Israel Defense Forces? They kill innocent people daily, and yet my voted-for government does absolutely nothing. Words mean nothing. Israel's leadership ignores them, yet our government persists in arming it. The proposal to proscribe Palestine Action is undemocratic and, frankly, shameful. It is an abuse of an important law – one here being used to suppress support for Palestinians. The home secretary appears to have left reason Hughes Bradwell, Derbyshire The plan to proscribe Palestine Action represents a failure of this government to engage in meaningful discussion with all those who deplore Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank, and our government's support of those actions. The protest group has made it clear that their reason for using spray paint on two planes was to draw public attention towards RAF logistical support for Israeli actions. That logistical support has taken many forms, and the public is only aware of some. At the same time, the government has often condemned Israel's genocidal policies. It should not be surprised when its support for Israel leads to alarming reactions. I recently joined a large, friendly and peaceful march in London in support of the Palestinian cause. I dearly hope the home secretary will consider the British history of tolerance of protest in her future BarberUttoxeter, Staffordshire The government responds to a few people spraying paint and breaking windows by declaring them 'terrorists'. If that is terrorism, then the word loses all meaning. Banning them – and their supporters – could be justified if they have carried out, or advocate, a campaign of murder and/or bodily harm. But unless the government can provide evidence of the latter, then proscribing a group that is protesting against a war is ludicrous, and sets a very dangerous precedent. Are the anti-frackers terrorists? Hunt saboteurs? Even last year's rioters weren't called terrorists, yet they caused mayhem in many towns and cities. No one is safe if proscription becomes the Loschi Chadderton, Greater Manchester So now you're a terrorist if you protest against the government supporting genocidal acts on innocent people? A small act of vandalism is hardly blowing people up, but this government is supporting murderous behaviour in Gaza in all our names, no matter how many times we take to the streets or write to our MPs. The suffragettes would have been branded terrorists if we used this criterion. I'm not a member of Palestine Action, but they sound just like my kind of people. Mary Gildea Charlton, London Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
The Guardian
44 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Diversity policies improve the civil service
As a retired civil servant, I read your article with interest (Civil service is 'too remote' from people's lives across UK, says minister, 14 June). I am in favour of moving roles out of London, but simply moving locations is not enough without culture change. Civil servants come from a range of communities. Most are passionate about public service. But the hierarchy means that only those who are able and willing to play by unwritten rules (created by white, middle-class, non-disabled men for their own benefit) can climb the ladder; civil servants are encouraged to focus more on what will please senior leaders than on what will benefit communities; and the civil service often values grade and seniority over knowledge, experience and expertise. To provide the best public services the civil service needs to reflect, at all levels, the communities it serves. At present it doesn't, and diversity diminishes with seniority. The 'back-office function' of experienced equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) specialists is essential: to identify barriers to under-represented groups; to ensure a working environment where everyone can thrive; and to rewrite the hidden rules so that they work for everyone. Senior leaders (including ministers) need to value the experience and expertise of specialists at more junior grades. In 2008 I joined the Crown Prosecution Service as an equality, diversity and community engagement manager. As well as EDI issues, my role involved engaging with local communities to understand their needs and build confidence in the criminal justice system. Engaging with communities improves the service provided and encourages those from under-represented groups to consider joining the civil service. In this country, we have always referred to EDI. Those who advocate doing away with 'DEI' betray their slavish Trump AirsNewcastle upon Tyne Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
