9 hours ago
The whole free world has an interest in derailing Iran's nuclear schemes
SIR – Allister Heath is correct in his condemnation of Sir Keir Starmer and Labour for their failings over Israel and Iran ('Trump and Netanyahu are saving the decadent West from its demons', Comment, June 19).
I have been impressed by the Israelis' operations against Iran so far, and hope they will be supported to finish the job. Those who value Western freedom should be backing them, and Britain should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with its allies. Yet Sir Keir, David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, and Lord Hermer, the Attorney General ('Hermer: War on Iran may be illegal', report, June 19), have proved an embarrassment.
It is also worth remembering that the weakness of multiple European and American leaders allowed Iran to reach the point it is at now.
Huw Bell
Wetherby, West Yorkshire
SIR – Has there ever been an occasion when Lord Hermer's interventions and advice have reflected what most of us consider to be the national interest?
Bob Hart
Newark, Nottinghamshire
SIR – With our Government in the hands of international lawyers, our enemies may rest assured that we are more likely to prosecute our own soldiers than a war against them.
Michael Staples
Seaford, East Sussex
SIR – Charles Moore (Comment, June 17) is absolutely right that we owe real debts to Ukraine and Israel.
Ukraine deserves full-hearted support against the tyranny of Vladimir Putin, which menaces all of Europe.
Israel has been on the front line fighting Islamist tyranny for almost 50 years. Western calls for 'de-escalation' in Israel's astonishing and understandable offensive against that tyranny are misplaced. Never forget that the Ayatollahs of Iran have spent almost five decades trying to murder the Jewish people of Israel. By contrast, the Israelis seek only to destroy Iran's genocidal regime, and hope then to live in peace with the Iranian people, as they did until the Islamists overthrew the Shah in 1979.
William Shawcross
London W2
SIR – After the G7, which Donald Trump left early, Britain and its European allies must realise they can no longer be sure of American support in the defence of Ukraine or their own borders. We've seen the vulnerability of Ukraine, Israel and Iran to attacks from the air, and have nothing like their air-defence capabilities. Arbitrary percentages of GDP, which include all manner of non-defence-related expenditure, are blatantly insufficient. Now is the time to cut the rhetoric and prepare adequately for the threats we know are out there.
Gp Capt Ron Powell (retd)
Barry, Glamorgan
