Mayor returns after being stranded in 'war zone'

The Mayor of the West Midlands has returned home after being stranded for "five days in a war zone" due to the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

Richard Parker was returning from a week long trade mission to Bangalore, India. His connecting flight to Birmingham from Dubai was cancelled on Saturday when the US launched its first attacks on Iran.

He described it as a daunting experience, being transported back to a hotel, getting alarm messages on his phone and even sleeping on the floor of the bathroom to keep safe.

"I could see buildings in the near distance, not being hit, but smoke coming out of them having been hit," he said.

"I went for a walk one morning and turned around after a couple of 100 yards, having seen smoke on the horizon for a building in the near distance.

"We didn't feel we were necessarily holed up in a hotel in a place that would have been seen as an asset the Iranians, but one didn't know about the accuracy of the drones," Parker said.

The US and Israel struck Iran on Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Iran launching retaliatory attacks since then.

Although the Mayor said he did not feel personal danger at times, he was pleased to be reunited with his family.

"For them, we weren't sure what sort of news they were hearing or seeing and I only appreciated that when I spoke my elderly mother. I said to my wife, 'mum seemed really concerned about my predicament'

"My wife, did remind me that we did spend five days in a war zone.

"It was a difficult time," he explained.

Conversations with government officials provided reassurance about airspace reopening and airline operations, Parker said.

He also echoed calls for de-escalation in the region.

"President Trump [and] three or four people around him are behaving dangerously and recklessly.

"They've got no plan for the future for Iran, they've got no interest in nation building.

"The impact their attacks have had, not just on people living in Iran, but the Middle East as a region, is really concerning."

Responding to President Donald Trump calling Sir Keir Starmer "no Winston Churchill" in the row over the refusal to permit the use of UK base, he commended the Prime Minister's stance.

"I would urge the American administration to seriously consider how they can act more responsibly and diplomatically to bring an end to the current situation."

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