It’s heartbreaking that Iran gunned down those passengers – but the US is in no position to talk about restraint

There are many things wrong with Iran’s behaviour and leadership, but they have at least admitted to the latest tragedy of shooting down a civilian aircraft in “error”.

We should not forget that the US has also behaved questionably, with a current leadership that is at best erratic. And let’s not forget that the US was involved in a similar incident in 1988, when USS Vincennes accidentally shot down Iran Air Flight 655 believing it to be an incoming threat.

The actions of Donald Trump inflaming regional tensions and making the threat of a nuclear-capable Iran more likely are extremely worrying, especially in the event that future mistakes could be so much more serious.

G Forward
Stirling

Australia fires

When the evangelical Scott Morrison won a surprise election victory in Australia with his inhumane treatment of migrants and mocking of the climate-change crisis, he joked that it was divine intervention.

I’d like to know what the “divine” ScoMo now makes of the devastating, apocalyptic fires?

Amanda Baker
Edinburgh

Mea Culpa

Regarding your story “Around one in a hundred couples trying to fall pregnant can suffer recurrent miscarriage”.

Who in these days talks about falling pregnant, other than a journalist looking for a catchy phrase? Surely the language belongs back in the era of “fallen women”.

More prosaically, how can a couple become pregnant? Normally it is the woman who becomes pregnant, not the man.

I’m sure it could have been better worded.

John Harrison
Address supplied

Corbyn and the Sussexes’ common ground

While I’m not a great devotee of the royals, I have much sympathy for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are stepping back from public life due to negative treatment from the tabloids.

I can recall someone else who has received a character assassination at the hands of the media: the outgoing leader of the opposition. Woe betides anyone who incurs the wrath of the establishment. And if Labour makes the “wrong choice” – in their eyes – for its next leader, buckle your seats for more of the same.

Paul Halas
Stroud

Labour leadership

So, Jess Phillips says that authenticity and trust are key requirements for any Labour leader.

Pity she didn’t think about trust when publicly targeting the present leader. As for authenticity and the ability to “connect with ordinary people”, I look forward to seeing the size of crowd that she draws at campaign rallies.

Paul Ashbrook
Bolton

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