The UK must not be dragged into Trump's Iranian folly

We know from our experience of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya that it is relatively easy for politicians to decide to unleash upon a country and its people large-scale firepower.

- JOHN MCDONNELL

Tragically, we also know the nightmare that follows and the human suffering caused.

The most difficult part of the war process is not the launching of missiles and drones or the firing of the guns, but when the shooting ends and peace and stability must be secured.

That’s why politicians who have gone through this experience are wary of entering into armed conflict without the legal certainty that the war is just and within international law, and that there is a plan not just for the fight but for the peace.

What we have seen over the last few days is the extremes of recklessness and irresponsibility of Donald Trump, shepherded by Benjamin Netanyahu.

For a war that involves an attack on another sovereign state to be legal under international law, it must be sanctioned by the United Nations and it must be in response to an immediate threat.

Trump’s attack on Iran has neither been sanctioned by the United Nations nor is it in response to an immediate and imminent threat.