BRITAIN wants a “peaceful transition” of power in Iran, a cabinet minister has said as the US considers military strikes in the wake of deadly protests.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Britain’s priority regarding Tehran was to “stem the violence,” after US President Donald Trump made threats saying US forces would “start shooting” if Iranian authorities killed protesters.

More than 100 people have been killed so far by Iranian police and thousands have been detained in response to mass demonstrations over the Iranian economy.

“The British government has always viewed Iran as a hostile state,” Ms Alexander told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.

“We know that they pose a security threat in the Middle East and beyond and we know that they have been a repressive regime in terms of their own population.

“And so I think the priority, as of today, is to try and stem the violence that is happening in Iran at the moment.”

She added: “It’s a concerning situation there and we would like to see anything that happens in future involving a peaceful transition where people can enjoy fundamental freedoms and we see proper democratic values back in the heart of Iran.”

Mr Trump said on Saturday that the US was ready to “help” as protesters faced a fierce crackdown by Iranian police. He wrote on Truth Social: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the killing of protesters and urged Iranian authorities to exercise restraint, but has not indicated Britain’s position on potential US intervention.

However, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she would “not have an issue” with the removal of the Iranian regime and that it “would be right” for the US and its allies to undertake regime change.

Tehran-born British actor and activist Nazanin Boniadi called for international support for the protesters in Iran and told them they have “nothing to lose.”

Ms Boniadi told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “Iranians are no strangers to protests and uprisings.

“The Iranians have nothing to lose. What they want is their dignity, and so that’s what this is about.

“It’s about finally achieving their freedom… What they’re saying is we want this regime gone.”