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Source: https://www.express.co.uk/comment/expresscomment/1957687/we-must-stand-up-iran-global-crisis
We Must Stand Up to Iran Before It Fuels a Global Crisis
(Daily Express-UK) Admiral Lord West - Last week we saw what happens when your enemies are emboldened by overcaution. In April Iran launched an attack against Israel with more than 300 ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles. On Oct. 1, Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) came back for more, firing 180 missiles at Israel. The IRGC is a malign influence in the Middle East and around the globe. For 41 years I served in the British Navy. I watched, during my years of service, as the ayatollahs took control of Iran and first began to terrorize their near-neighbors. They formed Hizbullah in Lebanon, a terrorist group with the express purpose of destroying the State of Israel. They also targeted our forces and allies in the Persian Gulf, even illegally seizing Royal Navy vessels and taking British sailors prisoner. The IRGC is the world's chief sponsor of terrorism. In the waters around Iran and the Gulf of Aden, crucial for the supply of goods and food to Europe, the IRGC threatens our shipping, either with their own navy or by bankrolling Houthi rebels in Yemen to fire rockets. The IRGC's budget is three times that of the regular Iranian armed forces. Their terrorist armies in the Middle East surround Israel and threaten its very existence. They seek to sow division on the streets of Britain or carry out attacks on Iranian dissidents across the globe. They support our enemies against allies. We read reports that the Iranians had sent 200 ballistic missiles to Russia's Vladimir Putin, so they could bomb our friends in Ukraine. This comes after years of the IRGC supplying their attack and kamikaze drones to Putin's army. To allow Russia and China to strengthen their Iranian attack dog, and even ensure the regime can build a nuclear bomb, will only store up far bigger troubles for us to face in the future. It's why we must seek to stop Iran in its tracks now. The writer was First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff from 2002 to 2006 and Security Minister from 2007 to 2010.