Israel knew, UK didn’t: Benjamin Netanyahu ‘was warned by the US of its plans to kill Qassem Soleimani ahead of the drone strike’ - while Britain was only informed of the attack once the mission was underway
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Netanyahu on Wednesday night
The following morning, Netanyahu tweeted about ‘very, very dramatic things’
Other allies of the US were not informed of the impending strike
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo slams Britain’s response to assassination of Qassem Soleimani saying Europe hasn’t been ‘as helpful as I wish that they could be’
Pompeo accused the UK, France and Germany of not being ‘helpful enough’
However, he heaped praise on regional allies including Israel and Saudi Arabia
UK has put HMS Montrose and HMS Defender into Persian Gulf following attacks
I understand Israel being warned. They are in the direct path of Iranian retaliation; UK is not.
I hope things don’t escalate; I’m traveling to Israel within the next two weeks. I’d be really annoyed if the State Department pulled the rug out from under us. (Of course, I’d be more annoyed if I got hit by a missile.)
Am overwhelmingly glad President Trump is wise about not trusting many about critical ops etc.