'Don't get involved too deeply in Iran', says bishop

A bishop who fled Iran in 1980 said she hoped Britain had learnt lessons from getting "involved too deeply" in previous conflicts.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, came to the UK aged 14 after her brother was murdered during 1979's Iranian revolution.

Speaking to the BBC as US-Israeli attacks in Iran continued, Francis-Dehqani said: "I hope that Britain does indeed remember the lessons of Iraq and does not get involved too deeply and too soon."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK had not played a role, but had allowed the US to use British military bases for "defensive" strikes.

Francis-Dehqani added: "If you look at it coldly, this was an unprovoked attack on Iran.

"I know that Israel and the United States said that it was a pre-emptive attack, but it's difficult to see. Pre-emptive against what?"

In a statement, Francis-Dehqani said it was unclear where military action by Israel and the US would "ultimately lead".

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's iron grip on power in Iran came to an end when he was killed on the first day of the action.

Francis-Dehqani said: "I think, like most Iranians, and most sensible people, there are mixed emotions.

"On one hand, I think the fact that the leadership of a very brutal regime which has been repressing the Iranian people for well over 30 years has been removed, is a source of joy to many people.

But she added: "Total horror and destruction have been rained down on the region and what we don't know is Iran's capability to continue this."

The number of people killed in Iran since the attacks began on Saturday has reached 787, according to Iran's Red Crescent Society, its national humanitarian society.

President Donald Trump has said the US is seeking to destroy Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and navy, its ability to develop nuclear weapons, and support for proxy groups in the region.

He has argued the broader purpose of the war was to protect the US and its allies from attacks by Iran.

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