International

Tories want UK to back US action against Iran

Published

10 months ago

June 19, 2025

Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel

Tories want UK to back US action against Iran

Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel has called on the UK government to back the US if it attacks Iran.

US President Donald Trump has not publicly said whether the US will join the Israeli strikes.

But the BBC’s US partner CBS reported he had approved attack plans for Iran although he has not made a final decision on whether to strike the country.

Britain’s top legal adviser Lord Hermer has reportedly raised concerns privately that international law may only support UK involvement if UK personnel are targeted.

Dame Priti has argued the UK cannot “hide behind legal advice at a time of crisis”.

But Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for any legal advice to be published, adding: “The last thing we need is for the UK to be dragged into another illegal war in the Middle East by the US.”

Asked about the reports on Lord Hermer’s legal advice, Commons leader Lucy Powell said governments had always had a policy of not commenting on whether the attorney general has given advice so ministers can “make decisions without fear or favour”.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has travelled to Washington to meet his US counterpart Marco Rubio, after Donald Trump said he was considering whether to join Israeli strikes against Iran.

READ ALSO:

Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed that he will hold talks about the escalation of their nuclear programme with his counterparts from the UK, France and Germany and insisted his country was committed to diplomacy.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Dame Priti said said “we should be working with our allies, working alongside the US and Israel” and her party would support assisting the US in Iran.

She said: “If the US came to the UK and said ‘we need your assistance’, through use of our bases or even re-fuelling aircraft, obviously we would support that, my party would support that, working with the government and basing that on private discussions obviously based on intelligence, legal advice, security information.”

She stressed that strikes have taken place “to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities and their ballistic missile capabilities, which are a threat to us in the UK”.

However, there are reports the Attorney General Lord Hermer has privately raised questions over whether Israel’s actions in Iran are lawful, which would restrict the government’s ability to support any US action.

The Attorney General’s office said: “By long-standing convention, reflected in the ministerial code, whether the law officers have been asked to provide legal advice and the content of any advice is not routinely disclosed.

“The convention provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in light of thorough and candid legal advice.”

Israel has justified its war by claiming that Iran’s nuclear weapons programme poses an “imminent” and “existential” threat – although Iran claims the programme is peaceful.

READ ALSO:

The two countries have been exchanging fire for days after air strikes, which Tel Aviv said were aimed at preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

The UK helped defend Israel from Iranian missile and drone strikes during a confrontation last year.

Asked if Lord Hermer was right to sound a warning, Dame Priti told Times Radio she believed the UK should support its “biggest ally”.

She said: “I don’t think we can hide behind legal advice at a time of crisis and national security when we have to work alongside our biggest ally in the world, the United States, when they look to us for potentially… setting out operational activities through our own military bases.”

Earlier, on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Dame Priti pointed out that embassy staff have been evacuated from Israel.

“There are thousands upon thousands of British nationals in Israel and currently the government response is not sufficient,” she said.

“There are [phone] numbers being put up for families to call and that is simply not good enough.

“We do know embassy personnel are being evacuated. And if they can do that for embassy staff then clearly additional facilities must be extended to British nationals in Israel.”

Dame Priti added other countries were offering air, sea and land options.

US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Washington was working to get military, commercial, charter flights and cruise ships for evacuation.

Dame Priti’s call for repatriation flights comes after the Foreign Office issued advice on Sunday against all travel to Israel.

British nationals currently in those areas have been told to register their presence via an online form and to follow the advice of local authorities.

The Foreign Office said international land border crossings with Jordan and Egypt remains open – with consular teams in place to provide assistance – while the embassy in Tel Aviv and consulate in Jerusalem remains “fully staffed”.

On Wednesday, a “rapid deployment team” arrived in Jordan which the Foreign Office said would “boost our consular presence”.

Tories want UK to back US action against Iran

International

Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

Published

8 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

US President Donald Trump

Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

US President Donald Trump has ruled out extending the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran beyond its current deadline, warning that failure in ongoing negotiations could lead to renewed military confrontation.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Trump said he was not in favour of prolonging the truce, stressing that both sides must move quickly to reach a binding agreement.

“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said, indicating that the situation remains time-sensitive as diplomatic talks continue under pressure.

The ceasefire, which is expected to expire on Wednesday evening, has temporarily eased tensions between Washington and Tehran, allowing both sides to regroup following weeks of heightened conflict and military escalation concerns.

READ ALSO:

Trump noted that both countries had used the pause to “restock,” describing the truce as fragile and warning that it could collapse if negotiations fail to produce results.

He further suggested that the breakdown of talks could trigger a return to military operations, stating that he “expects bombing” to resume if diplomacy fails. According to him, the U.S. military remains fully prepared for any required action.

“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” he said, defending a strong negotiating posture.

The president also reiterated earlier warnings about targeting Iranian infrastructure, including strategic facilities such as transport routes and power installations, arguing that such measures would weaken Iran’s military logistics and operational capacity.

Despite his hardline position, Trump acknowledged that Iran’s population is “incredible,” while describing its leadership as resistant to compromise. He insisted that a negotiated deal could still allow Iran to “become a strong nation again” if it agrees to terms acceptable to Washington.

The comments come as senior U.S. officials prepare for further diplomatic engagements, with Vice President JD Vance expected to participate in upcoming discussions aimed at extending the ceasefire and reducing tensions in the region.

Trump also criticised Iran’s internal handling of unrest, referencing reports of violent crackdowns on protests, which he said further complicate efforts toward lasting peace.

The latest remarks highlight continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S.–Iran ceasefire negotiations, with global observers closely watching whether diplomacy or renewed conflict will define the next phase of relations between both countries.

Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

International

Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US

Published

9 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Jose Luis Rodriguez and the victims

Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US

A man in the United States has been sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison after pleading guilty to the brutal killing of a couple and their 1-year-old son in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The convict, identified as Jose Luis Rodriguez, admitted to three counts of first-degree murder, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said the case began on September 13, 2025, when 31-year-old Junior Cabrera-Colon was found shot dead. Days later, authorities discovered that his wife, Geraldina Peguero-Mancebo, and their infant son, Jeyden Peguero, were missing, triggering a wider investigation.

READ ALSO:

A week after the discovery of Cabrera-Colon’s body, police located the bodies of the missing mother and child in a wooded area. Prosecutors revealed that the toddler was found “partially submerged in a marshy area,” a detail that shocked investigators and the local community.

During court proceedings, prosecutors said Rodriguez confessed to killing all three victims. He allegedly picked up Peguero-Mancebo and her son, shot the woman, drowned the child, and later killed Cabrera-Colon.

The prosecution described the killings as premeditated and deliberate, stating that each act was carried out with intent and malice.

According to court records and reports by local media, Rodriguez claimed he had a personal relationship with Peguero-Mancebo and referenced financial disputes as a possible motive behind the killings.

The sentencing judge handed down three consecutive life sentences without parole, effectively ensuring Rodriguez will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Family members of the victims described the outcome as painful but necessary for closure, with relatives expressing gratitude that the case has reached a conclusion after months of emotional distress.

The case has drawn widespread attention in Pennsylvania due to its violent nature and the involvement of a young child, with prosecutors calling it one of the most disturbing family-related homicide cases in the region in recent years.

Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US

International

US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles

Published

16 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

American singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke

US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles

American singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, has been charged in connection with the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, in a case that prosecutors have described as one of the most serious and disturbing in recent years.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, confirmed that the 21-year-old faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilation of human remains.

According to investigators, the teenager was last seen on April 23, 2025, after visiting Burke at his residence in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. She was reported missing shortly after she failed to return home.

Months later, on September 8, 2025, authorities made a gruesome discovery when her decomposed and dismembered remains were found inside the front trunk of a Tesla vehicle linked to the singer. Police reportedly traced the vehicle after receiving complaints about a strong odour, leading to the recovery of body parts stored in a cadaver bag.

Prosecutors say the case includes several special circumstance allegations, such as murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. They also allege that Burke used a sharp instrument to carry out the killing.

READ ALSO:

“This is a parent’s nightmare,” Hochman said during a press briefing, describing the case as “brutal and horrific.” He added that the charges represent the most severe offences his office can prosecute.

Jim McDonnell, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, stated that authorities remain committed to ensuring justice for the victim and her family.

Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026, and is currently being held without bail. He is expected to be arraigned at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

If convicted, he faces either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole, although prosecutors have yet to decide whether capital punishment will be pursued.

The singer’s legal team, led by Blair Berk, alongside Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, has denied all allegations. In a statement, they said evidence will show that Burke “did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not the cause of her death.”

The case has already had major consequences for Burke’s career. He cancelled his planned “D4VD Withered” world tour and was dropped from brand partnerships with Hollister Co. and Crocs.

D4vd rose to prominence in 2022 with his hit Here With Me and later released Romantic Homicide, a track whose title he previously described as metaphorical rather than literal.

The case remains ongoing, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.