UK Defence Secretary: I'd Blast Iran

London Mirror | November 22 2004

DEFENCE Secretary Geoff Hoon has said he would "press the button" for a nuclear strike on Iran if it was menacing Britain with ballistic missiles.

Mr Hoon's doomsday warning threatens to wreck Europe's current diplomatic efforts to prevent Iraq developing atomic weapons. It is under orders to stop its uranium enrichment programmes by today. Iran insists its nuclear work is aimed solely at meeting fuel needs.

Mr Hoon marched into the delicate manoeuvring during a private speech at Nottingham University. He was under attack from students, who had condemned America's controversial Star Wars missile shield as a waste of money.

Mr Hoon told the university's Political Society: "In 15 years, when our friends in Iran have perfected an inter-continental ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead, we'll have a vote. See how many people say I've got to press the button to stop the missiles coming in. I think I might win that one. I have a responsibility to the British people to take action to seek to protect them."

There are deep fears worldwide that George Bush wants to attack Iran and open up a new front in the terror war.

The Ministry of Defence said Mr Hoon was talking "hypothetically".