UK calls for peaceful power transition in Iran amid protests and US threats

The UK government has said it wants to see a peaceful transition of power in Iran, as tensions rise following comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting possible military support for Iranian protesters.

Speaking on Sunday, UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Iran is a hostile state that threatens regional security and represses its own people. However, she avoided commenting directly on US foreign policy, stressing that the immediate priority is to stop the violence against protesters.

Her remarks come as Iran faces weeks of nationwide protests, sparked mainly by economic hardship. Demonstrations have been met with a severe crackdown by Iranian authorities, including the use of force, mass arrests, and an internet shutdown aimed at cutting protesters off from the outside world.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch took a stronger position, saying she would have no issue with the removal of Iran’s current regime. She argued that Iran poses a direct threat to the UK, pointing to alleged assassination plots on British soil and Iran’s support for militant groups such as Hezbollah.

Badenoch said it could be right for the US and its allies to be involved in regime change if it helped protect people and reduce global security threats. However, she also stressed the importance of avoiding further escalation and strengthening Britain’s own defences.

In the United States, Trump has repeatedly warned Iran against using lethal force on protesters. He said the US was ready to help and warned Iranian authorities that military action could follow if violence continued.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the killing of protesters and urged Iran to show restraint. A government spokesperson said Britain is closely monitoring the situation and is deeply concerned by reports of violence against civilians exercising their right to peaceful protest.

According to reports, at least 62 people have been killed and more than 2,300 detained during the unrest. Despite an internet blackout, videos have emerged showing thousands of protesters in Tehran chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

More than 570 protests have reportedly taken place across all of Iran’s 31 provinces. Meanwhile, Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that US military forces and Israel would be legitimate targets if Iran were attacked, raising fears of wider regional conflict.