UK Foreign Secretary: Iran Has a Completely Malicious Influence in the Region and the World

David Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, committed in an interview to have greater deterrence against Tehran, calling the Iranian government 'a completely malicious influence in the region and the world.' The former Prime Minister's warning reflects US accusations of Iran's involvement in Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, providing drones, missiles, and tactical information for these attacks. Cameron, who visited the region this week and discussed the Israel-Gaza war with his Egyptian counterpart as well as the unrest in the Red Sea, accused Tehran of aiding various 'proxies' in the Middle East. He told the Sunday Telegraph, 'Iran is a completely malicious influence in the region and the world - there is no doubt about it.' The UK Foreign Secretary pointed out, 'You have the Houthis, you have Hezbollah, you have the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq that are actually attacking British and American bases and forces, and of course Hamas.' Cameron further emphasized, 'So you have all these proxies, and I think it is very important that first of all, Iran receives an incredibly clear message that this worsening of the situation will not be tolerated.' The senior British diplomat, who returned to the forefront of politics last month after stepping down as Prime Minister following the Brexit referendum defeat in 2016, stated that London will increase cooperation with its allies regarding Tehran. Cameron added, 'We need to work with our allies to create a really strong set of deterrent actions against the Iranian government, and it is important that we do this.' The UK Foreign Secretary also stressed that 'the level of risk and insecurity in the world is at an extraordinarily high level compared to years and decades past, and the threat from Iran is part of this picture.' Germany, Britain, and France have called for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza; Netanyahu says 'the war will continue until Hamas is destroyed.'