Middle East 2025-06-23

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How many British nationals need to be repatriated? What resources are being deployed to support these efforts?

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What is the Government's position on future strikes against Iran’s nuclear capacities? Are there any plans to support them?

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The Foreign Secretary is thanked for his statement and invited to respond to questions from MPs on various aspects of the legal, diplomatic, and humanitarian responses to Iran’s actions.

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Miller supports condemnation of Iranian regime but questions whether unilateral actions by Israel and US can provide long-term security. He calls for robust diplomacy grounded in international law.

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Carden welcomes calls for a negotiated solution but warns of potential prolonged instability if interventions aim at regime change.

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Will the Foreign Secretary now concede that the international community’s unwillingness to take robust action through things like the snapback mechanism and the JCPOA is part of the reason that Israel felt the need to take the initial strikes and America to do likewise? I agree that diplomatic means will ultimately be the only long-term resolution, but that means not just asking nicely for Iran to put its nuclear weapons away, but enforcing that and ensuring it does so through such mechanisms. Will the Foreign Secretary ensure that if we are not going to be involved in military action—I understand why we might not want to do that—we will ensure that robust action is taken, and that it is underpinned by measures that will force Iran to do the right thing, rather than just hoping that it will do the right thing?

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Will the Foreign Secretary assure the House that while we all want to see urgent de-escalation, the escalating conflict in Iran will not take focus from the UK’s efforts to end the devastating war in Gaza, help the Palestinian people, free hostages and lift restrictions on humanitarian and medical aid?

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The Foreign Secretary has said that Iran must not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Does he therefore support the recent targeted strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities: yes or no? If not, can he explain how exactly that inaction would have curtailed Iran’s nuclear ambitions?

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I associate myself with the Foreign Secretary’s condemnation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but we need to match that condemnation with accountability. Here in the UK, Jewish communities are deeply concerned about what lies ahead. Last week, the Iranian ambassador claimed his country’s nuclear programme is legal and purely civil. What does the Foreign Secretary make of this?

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The Foreign Secretary has confirmed that Britain was not involved in the strikes on Iran. Will he also confirm whether the US Administration sought permission to use Diego Garcia as the launch point for the strikes? If permission was sought and denied, on what basis did the Prime Minister deny permission?

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I thank the Foreign Secretary for his measured approach to this crisis. In past rounds of violence, Iran has often leaned on its proxies to conduct retaliation. What steps is the Foreign Secretary taking to protect UK shipping in that area and to keep safe the trade routes that are so vital for our country?

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The Foreign Affairs Committee met the Iranian ambassador twice last week. Can the Foreign Secretary say, on the basis of numerous meetings with the Iranian Foreign Minister that he has reported, whether he gained any impression of Iran’s willingness either to dismantle its nuclear programme or to negotiate?

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I thank the Foreign Secretary for his statement. He said that the whole House will have in their thoughts the many civilians impacted by this fighting. Can the Foreign Secretary assure me that the UK will not act immediately to follow any military action and that we will urge the US and Israel to de-escalate and avoid targeting innocent civilians?

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Despite that, the Foreign Secretary cannot tell us whether or not he believes that the strikes were the right thing to do, or whether or not he believes that the strikes were legal. Is he purposely treating the public as fools?

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Let us be clear about the regime: it has killed thousands upon thousands; upheld the brutal suppression of democracy, as well as the rights of women and LGBT+ people; and demonstrated a consistent intent to sponsor terrorism and act through proxies with violence. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we must do what we can to support de-escalation as soon as possible?

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Will the Foreign Secretary use his powers to persuade the Home Secretary to proscribe the IRGC in its entirety after it has conducted or attempted attacks on this country multiple times?

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Will the Foreign Secretary underline that aid will continue to get through Gaza and an immediate ceasefire is being pressed for?

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Will the Foreign Secretary join Reform and me in thanking the United States and Israel for degrading the Iranian nuclear weapons programme?

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Confirm that any war on Iran for regime change would be illegal under international law and oppose UK involvement?

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Why did Lord Hermer’s opinion on the legality of UK involvement in military action become public last week? Is this a sign of paralysis or division within the Government?

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Does the Foreign Secretary agree that Europe as a collective force for diplomacy and peace will be crucial now?

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What steps are being taken to ensure that British nationals like my constituent who was caught in Iran can be repatriated swiftly and safely?

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What is my right hon Friend doing to ensure that we can get back on track with our international rules-based system?

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Will he clearly state that de-escalation must mean no UK involvement if the US falls deeper into a conflict with Iran?

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What conversations has my right hon Friend had with the Israeli Government about targeting non-military installations?

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Does he envisage any UK part in consequences for outright murders in Gaza?

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Can he assure me that everything is being done to make sure there is adequate force protection for UK personnel deployed?

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What steps is he taking to align and coordinate his diplomatic efforts with those of our European and G7 allies?

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What action will he take against Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop the destabilisation of the Middle East?

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What contingency options has the Foreign Secretary worked up to protect UK national interests if Iran closes the straits of Hormuz?

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Does he believe that recent strikes by the US and Israel have made Britain or the world safer?

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Does he believe that America’s attack on Iran aligns with international law?

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Will he outline what more detail will be provided for UK citizens in the wider region?

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Is it UK Government policy to pursue regime change in Iran?

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Does he support the international rules-based order despite actions by our allies contrary to it?

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Is the diplomatic off-ramp for Iran that it changes its stance on recognising Israel’s right to exist?

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Is it because he realises that the attack on Iran was illegal?

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The hon. Gentleman questioned whether continued reliance on diplomacy with Iran is effective given its ongoing support for terrorism and enrichment of uranium.

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The hon. Gentleman asked for assurance on engagement with human rights activists and democracy advocates in the UK regarding the situation in Iran.

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The hon. Lady raised the issue of moral equivalence between Russia's invasion of Ukraine and potential US actions against Iran.

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The hon. Lady thanked the Foreign Secretary for his diplomatic efforts and asked about further discussions on Gaza, Ukraine, and protecting UK citizens abroad.

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The hon. Member inquired about the measures needed for Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

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The hon. Member asked how the UK would protect against potential oil price rises due to escalation in the Strait of Hormuz.

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The hon. Member asked about Iran’s potential withdrawal from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and what steps were being taken to prevent this.

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The hon. Member inquired about steps taken to de-escalate tensions and protect UK interests, including a definitive answer on UK involvement.

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The hon. Member asked about potential military support for the US under Article 5 of NATO if Iran launches a retaliatory strike.

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The hon. Member suggested that the UK should follow an independent foreign policy, not dictated by US interests.

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The hon. Member raised concerns about inadequate force protection at home following recent incidents, questioning whether the UK should follow Trump’s war with Iran.

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The hon. Member asked about justifications for military action beyond Iran, referencing North Korea as an example.

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The hon. Member asked about supporting his constituents affected by Iranian attacks in Israel.

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The hon. Member asked for more details on timeframes for repatriation flights and efforts to assist those leaving Israel over land borders or by sea.

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Does His Majesty’s Government support or oppose the US military action against Iran at the weekend?

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I thank the Foreign Secretary for the energy he has invested in de-escalation, because it is the only moral route out of this conflict. Is he keeping a watchful eye on that, and has he discussed it with our international partners?

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If I heard the Foreign Secretary correctly, he said that the UK would act if Iran sought to block the strait of Hormuz. Did he mean “act militarily”? In what other conditions would he consider military action, and what would he say if the Americans turned to this Government and asked them for support in any military adventure to do with this conflict?

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The most in-depth study ever conducted of the casualties of the so-called war on terror was carried out by Brown University in America, which found that, directly or indirectly, more than 4.5 million people lost their lives partly because of what was voted for in this House. Does the Foreign Secretary agree that the only way in which this conflict can be resolved is through diplomacy, and can he assure the House that he will not follow the last Labour Government and the mantra of the former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair when it comes to America’s bombing a middle eastern country—“with you, whatever” —and lead this country and the world into the abyss?

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Why should the House of Commons, and those in the country that we represent, not be entitled to know whether their Government support or regret the American action? Does not equivocation on that issue bring succour to those who we say must be robbed, quite properly, of their nuclear potential?

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Can the Foreign Secretary explain to the House whether the United States felt unable to use the Diego Garcia base and had to refuel three times, in a highly dangerous operation, because of the deal that the Government did with the Mauritians, who would then tell the Chinese, who would then tell the Iranians?

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The Iranian regime has long been a threat to peace, democracy and human rights, and the unilateral, illegal and dangerously provocative Israeli and, now, American attacks have made a tense situation extremely perilous and are completely outside international law. It is therefore deeply concerning to hear the Foreign Secretary echo the talking points of Netanyahu and Trump instead of standing up for those principles, clearly condemning the illegality of these bombings, and unequivocally ruling out the UK’s being dragged into any military action to support such illegal action. Why will he not do so?

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I thank the Foreign Secretary for his statement. I have often spoken in this Chamber about the Iranian regime and the horrific human rights abuses that take place under the IRGC. I have nothing but admiration for the steps taken to destroy Iranian nuclear armaments by our American and Israeli allies—steps that we must support. Will the Foreign Secretary confirm that the UK stands shoulder to shoulder with the US and Israel as they do what needs to be done? We must send a message to Iran that retaliation in any form will not be acceptable, and that it would face the might of the best armed forces in the world—the British armed forces.