Donald Trump’s threats against Iranian infrastructure are “unconscionable”, Scotland’s First Minister has said.
The US president gave the Tehran regime until 1am on Wednesday UK time to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in an expletive-laden post on his Truth Social website.
The blockade in the Strait has all but halted the flow of oil from the Gulf and driven up prices, with Mr Trump threatening to hit power plants and bridges in Iran if action is not taken.
Speaking to the Press Association on Tuesday, John Swinney again pushed for de-escalation in the region.
“The entire conflict in Iran should not be taking place,” he said.
“This is an unwarranted and illegal intervention by the United States and Israel and what has been started by President Trump, very clearly, cannot be concluded by Donald Trump.
“The threats that are now being made, of the language and of the nature of what has been suggested in recent days, is unconscionable and it will cause enormous, enormous hardship and suffering for people who are already suffering under the Iranian regime.
“The need for de-escalation, for a solution that avoids any further military activity in Iran is absolutely essential, and the international community, other governments, have got to work to encourage and to enable such an approach to be taken.”
The UK has “a part to play” in the diplomatic solution to the conflict, he added.
“I would encourage the United Kingdom Government, other governments of other countries and the international community to do all that is possible to be done to de-escalate this situation and to avoid this conflict causing any more damage that it has already caused,” Mr Swinney said.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has also hit out at Mr Trump, telling journalists on Monday it seems the US president is “intent on making (the world) even more unsafe”.
