Military strikes against Iran would be "an absolute catastrophe", an ex-Royal Navy chief has warned. Admiral Lord West said the growing threat of conflict involving Iran is "extremely dangerous", amid concerns the nation could break the terms of an international nuclear deal. His comments come after Iran give 60 days notice that it will resume enriching uranium unless remaining signatories to the deal acted to protect it from American sanctions.

The US deployed aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Middle East last week amid growing tensions with Iran (Picture: US Department of Defense).

Signatories to the deal include the UK as well as France, Germany, China and Russia. US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the deal last year. Speaking in the House of Lords, Lord West said those who think attacking Iran would be a good idea are "wrong", saying it would be "an absolute catastrophe".

The former First Sea Lord also said there would be "outbreaks of terrorist attacks throughout the region", along with the threat of missile strikes and disruption to shipping in the strategically-important Strait of Hormuz. He also questioned the "state of preparedness of our own forces there", saying "bearing in mind that when action is taken in response to an attack, Iran won't think that we are not involved in it, they will". Lord West said the UK needs "to be ready for such a thing".