Kemi Badenoch backs US action to help overthrow Iran's regime amid widespread protests - and Tory leader suggests RAF strikes could play a role
More than a hundred people have been killed and thousands detained in the uprising against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's rule.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch today said it 'would be right' for the US and its allies to help bring about regime change in Iran amid widespread protests in the country.
More than a hundred people have been killed and thousands detained in the uprising against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's rule.
Donald Trump has said America 'stands ready to help' Iranian protesters and threatened to hit the nation's leaders 'very hard' if they 'start killing people'.
Iran has itself warned it will target American troops and Israel if the US President carries out his threat of military action against the Tehran regime.
Speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Mrs Badenoch suggested she would back RAF air strikes against Iran in support of US action.
She said Iran would 'very happily wipe out the UK' and Tehran had previously 'tried to kill people' on British soil.
'I don't think a lot of people realise just how scary the Iranian regime is and just how far it has spread its tentacles,' the Tory leader added.
Labour's Heidi Alexander said the UK wants to see a 'peaceful transition' of power in Iran, with the Cabinet minister adding the Government's priority was to 'stem the violence'.
Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran. More than 100 people have been killed and thousands detained in the uprising against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's rule
Toryleader Kemi Badenoch said it 'would be right' for the US and its allies to help bring about regime change in Iran amid the widespread protests in the country
The Transport Secretary told Sky News: 'It's a concerning situation there and we would like to see anything that happens in future involving a peaceful transition where people can enjoy fundamental freedoms and we see proper democratic values back in the heart of Iran.'
Protests in Iran began on December 28 over the ailing economy and have transformed into the most significant challenge to the regime for several years.
The internet and telephone lines have been cut off, but footage of events in Tehran and other cities has made it to social media.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the number of confirmed fatalities had risen to 116, with 2,638 people detained.
Mrs Badenoch said: 'It's extraordinary what we are seeing - this is a country that has repressed women probably more than ever other, kills gay people.