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UK's Boris Johnson calls for 'end to hostilities' with US in call to Iran's Rouhani

UK's Boris Johnson calls for 'end to hostilities' with US in call to Iran's Rouhani

Boris Johnson

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for an "end to hostilities" on Thursday as he urgedIran's Hassan Rouhani to end the standoff with the United States.

During the 20-minutes call, Johnson also underlined Britain's commitment to Tehran's nuclear agreement.

Britain viewed the 2015 nuclear deal as "the best arrangement currently available to deliver on our goal of stopping Iran from having a nuclear weapon", Johnson'sspokespersonsaid in a statement.

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The statement also said thatJohnson wanted to "deliver the clear message" to Iran that "there is an urgent need for de-escalation".

The tension between US and Iran saw a dramatic escalation last week after the US killed Iran' top military commander, GeneralQasem Soleimaniin a strike in Baghdad International Airport.

On Wednesday, in retaliation,Iranfired ballistic missiles on US airbases in Iraqtargeting Al-Asad and Irbil.

Following the attack, Trump addressed the nation from White House andsaid that these missile attacks did not harm any US troops and the damage was minimal, an outcome he showed as Tehran wantingto de-escalate thestandoff.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Trump during the televised address said,"the time has come" for Britain, Germany, France, Russia and China to follow Washington's lead and abandon the 2015 nuclear agreement, which sets limits on Iran's enrichment levels.

Iran began breaking the deal's rules once Trump pulled the US out in 2018, resulting in a new wave of tension.

(With inputs from agencies)