Britain Deescalating Tensions with Iran, Committed to JCPOA?

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Like their US counterparts, virtually nothing UK officials say on geopolitical issues has credibility.

Disinformation and Big Lies consistently substitute for hard truths, notably about nations its ruling regimes consider adversaries in cahoots with US interests.

Since its 1979 revolution, regaining its sovereign independence, ending its US puppet status, Iran has been a prime US/UK/NATO/Israeli target for regime change.

These nations are sworn enemies of the Islamic Republic, their actions clearly showing where they stand.

At the behest of the Trump regime, notably Iranophobe John Bolton, Britain illegally with malign intent seized Iran's Grace 1 supertanker in international waters on July 4, a bandit act, flagrantly breaching international maritime law.

Since Trump illegally pulled out of the JCPOA nuclear deal on May 8, 2018, breaching international law, Britain supported the hostile action by refusing to fulfill its obligations mandated by the agreement.

Nothing in prospect suggests a policy change, UK authorities acting as an appendage of Washington's imperial agenda.

UK actions show where it stands. It's been this way for time immemorial, especially in the run-up to and throughout the post-WW II era.

Britain operates as junior partner to Washington's rage to rule the world. The same goes for other NATO nations and Israel.

Washington calls the shots, these and many other nations salute and obey the master of the universe in its own mind USA.

In its latest edition, the NYT falsely claimed "Britain took new steps on Monday to distance itself from (Trump's) escalating confrontation with Iran…"

Cold hard reality shows otherwise, hostile UK actions heightening tensions and pushing things toward possible conflict.

The Times quoted UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt's Big Lie, saying Britain "will not be part of the US maximum pressure policy on Iran" — clearly what it's been doing since Trump's May 2018 JCPOA pullout, supporting the lawless action while falsely claiming otherwise.

No "broad disagreement over Iran" exists between US and UK policies, as Times disinformation falsely claimed.

In reporting on US unilaterally imposed sanctions on Iran and other countries, the Times never explains their illegality. The same goes for other Western media.

Nor do they explain that Iran is legally allowed to resume its legitimate pre-JCPOA nuclear activities if other signatories breached their obligations, precisely what happened.

The US led the way. Britain, France, Germany and the EU followed by refusing to fulfill their mandated commitments.

The JCPOA is headed for dissolution because of their complicity with hostile US actions against Iran, while falsely claiming otherwise.

Iran poses no threat to other nations or international shipping anywhere. The Times falsely claimed otherwise while consistently and repeatedly ignoring US flagrant international law breaches, its imperial partners going along supportively, notably Britain.

The US/UK special relationship is longstanding, dating from the 19th century, notably after America's Civil War, its modern form emerging post-WW II.

Both nations are imperial partners against world peace and stability, including support for ISIS and other terrorist groups.

They're hostile to all countries unwilling to abandon their sovereign independent rights to a self-anointed higher power headquartered in Washington — with branch offices in London, Paris, Berlin, Tel Aviv, and other world capitals.

When the US goes to war against nations threatening no one, or engages in other hostile actions against them like imposing illegal sanctions, Britain virtually always partners in its criminality.

The UK is joined at the hip of Trump regime hostility toward Iran. If otherwise, it would have fulfilled its JCPOA obligations and never have illegally seized its Grace 1 supertanker. 

These and other hostile actions before and after Trump's JCPOA pullout show where the UK stands on Iran — militantly hostile to the country, not otherwise as its ruling authorities and the NYT falsely claim.

Note: If incoming UK PM Boris Johnson illegally imposes sanctions on Iran, going along with unlawful Trump regime actions, it'll be further proof of Britain's hostility toward the country.

It'll also be a major step toward dooming the JCPOA.

A Final Comment

On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif accused the US and UK of escalating tensions.

He warned that "(s)tarting a conflict is easy. Ending it would be impossible," adding:

"It's important for everybody to realize. It's important for Boris Johnson to understand that Iran does not seek confrontation."

"Iran wants to have normal relations (with other countries) based on mutual respect."

Last weekend, he said Trump regime hardliners "will get nowhere with its excessive demands" — nor will Britain by supporting them.

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