Boris under pressure to return from holiday after US kills Iranian general as Raab calls for parties to de-escalate

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BORIS Johnson is under pressure to return from his Caribbean holiday after the US killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a rocket strike.

MPs have called Donald Trump’s attack on the Persian military chief at Baghdad Airport reckless, after Iran vowed to get “revenge”.

Boris Johnson poses with St Lucia PM Allen M. Chastanet and staff from British Airways during the brief layover on the Caribbean island

COME HOME

The PM has been spending his Christmas break in sunnier climbs – but could face calls to return to Westminster over fears the strike could bring the Us and Iran to the brink of war.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has called for calm from both sides.

He said this morning: We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani.

Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate.

Further conflict is in none of our interests.

Jess Philips MP, a favourite to replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader, has accused Mr Trump of playing a game.

She said: Reckless foreign policy does not show strength. It’s not a game.

The consequences of the escalating tensions between the US and Iran are not to be underestimated, not just once again on the civilians in the region but on the whole world.

While Tory backbencher David Jones said the strike could lead to severe consquences.

He said: The killing of the leader of Iran’s Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, will undoubtedly lead to severe consequences in the region.

It is essential that the Western powers remain mindful of the interests of the ordinary people of Iran.

The US President personally approved the attack that took out Soleimani, the second most powerful person in Iran and leader of the nation’s military operations in the Middle East.

Mr Trump’s only personal response so far was a tweet of a a US flag without comment.

ROCKET STRIKE

Two missiles fired from a MQ9 Reaper drone struck Gen Soleimani shortly after he disembarked from an aircraft at Baghdad airport.

Iraqi militia chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the attack.

The Pentagon claimed Gen Soleimani was “actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region”.

It came days after protesters attacked the US embassy in Baghdad, clashing with US forces at the scene.

General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force, has been killed by US forces in Iraq

BRINK OF WAR

Amir Hatami, Iran’s defence minister, has threatened the US with “crushing revenge” for Gen Soleimani’s “unjust assassination”.

While the nation’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said “severe revenge awaits the criminals” behind the attack.

He also announced three days of public mourning.

Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, described the strike as an act of “international terrorism.”

The Pentagon confirmed that the United States was responsible for the strike

The two missiles hit the cargo area of Baghdad airport shortly after midnight. The first hit a vehicle carrying General Soleimani and Muhandis

In response to the strike, President Trump tweeted an image of the American flag

He tweeted: “The US’ act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani – THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et alis extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation.

“The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.”

Last night’s strike saw multiple missiles hit two cars carrying Gen Soleimani and several officials with Iranian-backed militias as they were leaving the airport.

Iraqi state television said that five Iraqis and two “guests” had been killed. Pictures showed burning debris on an airport road.