Few will mourn leader of evil' regime Ali Khamenei, says UK defence secretary

"Iran and the regime he's led for so long, it's a source of evil—murdering its own citizens and sponsoring and exporting terror. I think few people will mourn the ayatollah's death, not least the families and friends of the thousands of protesters murdered on the streets of Iranian cities."

"The government's role is now to act defensively. There is a very real and rising threat from a regime that is lashing out across the region. UK military planes are active in the Middle East in order to protect British citizens and interests across the region, shooting down missiles that could threaten them."

"Iran has menaced the west by sponsoring at least 20 terrorist plots to attack the UK as well as involvement in proxy wars. Iran is hitting out in an indiscriminate way, attacking hotels in Dubai and Bahrain as well as an airport in Kuwait."

UK Defence Secretary John Healey responded to the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following US and Israeli airstrikes by characterizing the Iranian regime as evil and a significant threat to Western security. Healey detailed Iran's sponsorship of at least 20 terrorist plots against the UK and involvement in proxy wars across the region. While declining to criticize the strikes or explain the UK's refusal to allow use of its military bases, Healey emphasized the government's defensive role. He highlighted UK military activity in the Middle East protecting British citizens and interests, including shooting down threatening missiles. Healey called for Iran to abandon its weapons and return to negotiations. The strikes have divided UK political opinion, with some MPs condemning the action as breaching international law while others support the response.

Read at www.theguardian.com