Boris Johnson calls US war on Iran a 'mistake', urges India, US and UK to help reopen Hormuz and pressure Russia over Ukraine

NEW DELHI: Former British PM Boris Johnson Saturday urged India, US and Britain to coordinate with one another on ending the Iran conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while calling Washington's war a "mistake" and pressing New Delhi to pressure Russia to end the Ukraine war. He also said that Putin is fated to lose the war with Ukraine.

Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, Johnson said it was "totally deranged" to believe that regime change in Iran could be achieved through air strikes. Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons and sponsoring terrorism, but change in the country had to come from within. "We've got to find a deal with Iran," he said, adding the countries should work together to lower oil prices and get ships moving. Johnson faulted US for not consulting Britain before the war, saying it had walked into an "obvious trap". Yet, he described America as a hegemon he would prefer over China and said that allies must help it "back out" of the cul-de-sac. Trump, he added, was consultative and liked advice from friends, including Modi.

Turning to Ukraine, Johnson told his Indian audience not to believe "propaganda" that Putin was in a position to win; he was "fated to lose" against Ukrainians' desire for freedom. He backed giving Ukraine Tomahawks, transferring $140 billion of Putin's cash held in Brussels and stopping trade in sanctioned Russian oil. Only Putin, not Trump or Zelenskyy, could end the war, he said. Acknowledging India's "particular position" and historical closeness to Russia, Johnson said the conflict would not end without greater pressure on Moscow. He also called for deeper India-UK and India-US military cooperation, saying it would be "much more sensible".

Johnson was effusive about India and Modi. "The Indian story today is a really wonderful story," he said, predicting an "incredible future" for India because it is a democracy and a free country. He also hailed the India-UK FTA, negotiations for which began when he was PM.