London distances itself from Trump after Iran threat: “The US president is perfectly capable of speaking for himself”

British Minister Steve Reed said US President Donald Trump was speaking for himself when he threatened to destroy Iran's power plants if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, according to Reuters.

In an interview with Sky News, Reed was asked what is Britain's position on Trump's ultimatum.

“The US president is perfectly capable of speaking for himself and backing up his statements,” the British official replied.

“We will not be drawn into war, but we will protect our own interests in the region. We will work together with our allies to de-escalate the situation,” the British cabinet minister continued.

In another interview with the BBC, the British minister stated that there is no assessment to show that Iran intends to attack Europe with ballistic missiles or that it has the ability to do so.

On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces said on social media that Iran has missiles “that can reach London, Paris or Berlin.”

“There is no assessment to support what is being said,” British housing minister Steve Reed told the BBC.

“I am not aware of any assessment that shows Iran is even trying to target Europe, much less that it would have the capability to do so even if it tried,” he continued.

Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum on Saturday night to fully reopen the sea route through which about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas transits. Otherwise, the United States will strike Iran's energy infrastructure.

“If Iran does not TOTALLY reopen, WITHOUT ANY THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz within 48 HOURS from this precise moment, the United States of America will strike and destroy its various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE!”, the US leader said Saturday evening, in a message posted on his Truth Social platform.

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform at 23:44 GMT on March 21, which means Iran has until 23:44 GMT on March 23 (01:44 Romanian time on March 24 and 03:14 in Tehran) to comply with the US president's request.

Iran's military responded on Sunday, announcing it would target energy infrastructure and desalination plants in the region if Donald Trump followed through on his threat to destroy the country's power plants.