[bitontheslide]

Jeremy Corbyn has questioned whether the government has "credible evidence" to show Iran is behind the attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said responsibility "almost certainly" lies with the Iranian regime.

But the Labour leader tweeted that the UK should ease tensions in the region, not fuel a military escalation.

The explosions on Thursday came in the Gulf of Oman - a strategic waterway crucial to global energy supplies.

It is the second time in the past few weeks that tankers appear to have been attacked in the region and comes amid escalating tension between Iran and the United States.

The US military released video footage which it said proved Iran was behind the blasts - something Iran has categorically denied.

The UK Foreign Office said it was "almost certain" that a branch of the Iranian military - the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - attacked the two tankers on 13 June, adding that "no other state or non-state actor could plausibly have been responsible".

"These latest attacks build on a pattern of destabilising Iranian behaviour and pose a serious danger to the region," Mr Hunt said.

However, in a tweet Mr Corbyn questioned that assessment.

He previously cautioned against making "hasty judgements" in the wake of last year's Salisbury nerve agent attack, which the government blamed on the Russian state.

His stance attracted some criticism, including from a number of his own MPs, although the Labour leader did subsequently say that the evidence clearly pointed to the Russian state.


US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran was behind what he described as the latest in a series of "unprovoked attacks".

He said the US had made its assessment based on intelligence about the type of weapons used.

To back up its version of events, the US military released a video which it says shows Iran's Revolutionary Guard removing an unexploded limpet mine from one of the ships - hours after the initial detonations.

The blasts came a month after four oil tankers were damaged in an attack off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The US blamed Iran for that attack, but did not produce evidence. Iran also denied those accusations.

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated significantly since US President Donald Trump took office in 2017.

He abandoned a nuclear deal that was brokered by Barack Obama's administration and significantly tightened sanctions on Iran.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48645280

----

As always, Corbyn sides with the terrorist

[joeysteele]

I'm surprised at his statement and think its ill advised.
Best to have kept silent.
Although he'd be hammered for not saying anything too by the usual jumping on his back people.

However Leaders saying it's almost certain it was Iran, doesn't mean it is certain.

So maybe those in power would do better to comment when it is certain, rather than just almost.

It's a volatile area, sensitivity and more care and consultation should be exercised by all World leaders before firing accusations.

[chuff me dizzy]

Hes always been a terrorist supporter, he refuses to sing our national anthem but will stand shoulder to shoulder with the worlds terrorists

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by chuff me dizzy

Hes always been a terrorist supporter, he refuses to sing our national anthem but will stand shoulder to shoulder with the worlds terrorists

Sorry but that's rubbish in my view.
I don't care for the man or his leadership of the Labour Party.

However we never seem to learn whoever is in power in the UK.
Labour or Conservative.
To take more care before we add to the hate, volatility and explosiveness of the middle east.
By firing instant accusations out there ,while even admitting it's only almost certain, not certain.

Tensions in the area are bad enough before rushing in accusing before all facts are known.

[bitontheslide]

How many times now has Corbyn taken the side of the terrorist over those of simple people trying to get through their day. I've honestly lost count, it's been that many. Are people actually trying to say its the fault of governments that stand up to these terrorists? Lets just forget the fact that Iran is actively developing a nuclear capability and is a genuine world terrorist

[Vicky.]

I don't really see how wanting credible evidence that it was actually Iran is him supporting the terrorists who did it. Mind I am usually a little baffled by whats classed as 'terrorist sympathising' when it comes to Corbyn. Honestly, I just see it as another stick to beat him with and..whatever he says is twisted. Saying that basically we should know more before pointing fingers (hell, even if it IS most likely to be Iran, which it is) is not, IMO anyway, taking the side of the terrorists.

However I won't really waste much time arguing on here, as I know the replies I will get and honestly, I cannot stand Corbyn these days so don't really feel the need to defend him like I used to

Oh, and I agree working to ease tensions is probably a better response overall to going in all guns blazing. Though honestly, I have no clue how to sort the Iran thing, seems something thats always going to be an issue, started long ago and will continue forever..

[Liam-]

He’s not really supporting terrorists though is he? He’s asking for credible, unquestionable evidence before we get ourselves involved in something we shouldn’t be, if more people asked for credible evidence of things, we probably wouldn’t have ended up holding hands with America in an illegal war in Iraq.

He’s an intelligent man asking the relevant questions rather than being a trigger happy war feind like everyone else.. imo.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Liam-

He’s not really supporting terrorists though is he? He’s asking for credible, unquestionable evidence before we get ourselves involved in something we shouldn’t be, if more people asked for credible evidence of things, we probably wouldn’t have ended up holding hands with America in an illegal war in Iraq.

He’s an intelligent man asking the relevant questions rather than being a trigger happy war feind like everyone else.. imo.

Totally agree re Iraq too.

[chuff me dizzy]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

How many times now has Corbyn taken the side of the terrorist over those of simple people trying to get through their day. I've honestly lost count, it's been that many. Are people actually trying to say its the fault of governments that stand up to these terrorists? Lets just forget the fact that Iran is actively developing a nuclear capability and is a genuine world terrorist

Exactly !!

[Toy Soldier]

Tony Blair: *sends us into Iraq on flimsy / non-existent evidence.*

British Public: "Blair is a war criminal who should be locked up for the rest of his life!!"


Jeremy Corbyn: *suggests we should make sure we have solid evidence before pointing fingers at Iran*

British Public: "Corbyn is a terrorist sympathiser who shouldn't be anywhere near politics!"




Sigh. I'm not a Corbyn fan these days, he's just as much a part of the English political farce as any other, but come on. The hypocrisy would be hilarious if it wasn't so worrying.

[Kate!]

Originally Posted by Liam-

He’s not really supporting terrorists though is he? He’s asking for credible, unquestionable evidence before we get ourselves involved in something we shouldn’t be, if more people asked for credible evidence of things, we probably wouldn’t have ended up holding hands with America in an illegal war in Iraq.

He’s an intelligent man asking the relevant questions rather than being a trigger happy war feind like everyone else.. imo.

Agree. Jeremy is being sensible about it.

[James]

Well he was, until quite recently, a paid contributor to the Iran government's 'Press TV'.....

[Twosugars]

Just dont believe Iran would be so naive
I'd say is a cia/mossad operation

[Twosugars]

Originally Posted by James

Well he was, until quite recently, a paid contributor to the Iran government's 'Press TV'.....

Didn't Farage appear on RT

[chuff me dizzy]

Its Armed Forces day, lets see if Comrade Corbyn turns up and sings our national anthem, he never showed last year and chose to go to Glastenbury in 2017

[Cherie]

He will never get into power hopefully

[Oliver_W]

As much as I don't want him anywhere near power, he's not wrong here. No point in getting involved in middle eastern squabbles.

[chuff me dizzy]

Originally Posted by Cherie

He will never get into power hopefully

Everything crossed he doesn't !!

[arista]

Originally Posted by James

Well he was, until quite recently, a paid contributor to the Iran government's 'Press TV'.....

Yes they have to broadcast online only , now

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Tony Blair: *sends us into Iraq on flimsy / non-existent evidence.*

British Public: "Blair is a war criminal who should be locked up for the rest of his life!!"


Jeremy Corbyn: *suggests we should make sure we have solid evidence before pointing fingers at Iran*

British Public: "Corbyn is a terrorist sympathiser who shouldn't be anywhere near politics!"

Yup.

[bitontheslide]

So we should just ignore all the other times that Corbyn has supported terrorists before believing others on countless occasions and assume he is genuine this time?

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

So we should just ignore all the other times that Corbyn has supported terrorists before believing others on countless occasions and assume he is genuine this time?

It's not really about believing or not believing Corbyn, rather having the common sense to see that - regardless - jumping into action without being 100% sure is not a good idea either way, so the suggestion that we should wait is sensible.

You would think we had learned lessons from Iraq but apparently not. Like I said... People are still quick to demonise Bush and Blair for Iraq in one breath, then advocate condemning and dare I say invading Iran in the next.

[James]

There is a tendency with Corbyn-types to back any regime that opposes America and the West in general.

He did the same as this with the Salisbury poisoning and Russia, remember.

Originally Posted by Twosugars

Didn't Farage appear on RT

Probably did. I noticed the other day that Alex Salmond still has a show on there.

[Oliver_W]

I would say something about stopped clocks, but even twice a day is too much ...

An old calendar is right every eleven years or so!

[Twosugars]

Originally Posted by James

There is a tendency with Corbyn-types to back any regime that opposes America and the West in general.

He did the same as this with the Salisbury poisoning and Russia, remember.



Probably did. I noticed the other day that Alex Salmond still has a show on there.

True, Corbyn is blinkered

Used to like Salmond, disappointed how he ended up