Regional nations won’t let UK gain new foothold in Mideast: Commander

A senior Iranian commander says people in the Middle East will not allow Britain to secure a new foothold in the region.

“This evil wish of Britain and other European countries for presence in West Asia region will not come true and regional people will not allow such a presence,” The Deputy Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri, said on Tuesday, adding that Britain better leave the Middle East “before it faces new problems.”

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said last December that London “is back” in the Persian Gulf region and will remain committed to the security of its Arab allies there in the foreseeable future.

Johnson's remarks came following a visit by British Prime Minister Theresa May to Bahrain earlier the same month.

Jazayeri also downplayed US President Donald Trump’s rhetoric of using military action against Iran, saying these were “threadbare and ridiculous” threats.

However, Iran has anticipated a set of necessary and effective responses to counter the US based on the Islamic Republic’s interests, he added.

SS