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Iran Conflict: Ceasefire
09 July 2026
Lead MP
Hamish Falconer
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
DefenceForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Hamish Falconer raised concerns about iran conflict: ceasefire in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The minister strongly condemned the Iranian attacks on Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. He expressed solidarity with Oman over its territorial waters, emphasising that strikes into countries' territory or vessels are a violation of international law. The UK supports de-escalation and diplomacy for a durable peace in the strait of Hormuz. It prioritises unimpeded transit passage through the strait without violence, tolls, fees, or conditions. The minister reaffirmed support for freedom of navigation, seafarer safety, and global navigational rights.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Question
The shadow questioned the Government’s actions during Iranian strikes, expressing concern for British nationals in the region. She also enquired about UK support through a comprehensive security agreement with Bahrain and sought the Government's stance on US sanctions against Iran.
Minister reply
The minister responded by avoiding direct criticism of defence spending plans and urging to focus on serious questions rather than party politics.
Emily Thornberry
Lab
Islington South and Finsbury
Question
The MP agreed with the Minister's condemnation and suggested that a sustainable deal should be thoroughly negotiated with concessions from both sides.
Minister reply
The minister emphasised that there is no ambiguity regarding Iran’s attacks on commercial shipping in Oman’s territorial waters, underlining the need for concrete steps to ensure security.
Question
He questioned the Government's efforts to bring both sides back to negotiations and sought updates on imprisoned British nationals Craig and Lindsay Foreman. He also asked about proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Minister reply
The minister confirmed steps towards proscribing hostile state threats but avoided specifics on the Foremans' case due to sensitivity.
Question
We are still waiting to learn the full extent of British military involvement in this conflict. The Minister must confirm whether the UK’s authorisation for the US to use British airbases continued as the ceasefire has collapsed. With 170 US airstrikes on Iran over the past two days, is the UK undertaking case-by-case authorisation for each individual strike? Secondly, I have asked numerous times about the 2020 UK-Israel military co-operation agreement, and I have not received a straight answer. With credible evidence of crimes against humanity in Gaza, the Minister has not yet replied to my letter from over a month ago asking whether an international law review of that agreement has been conducted. Can the Minister outline when I can expect a response?
Minister reply
I am sorry I have not replied to the correspondence yet; I will do so as quickly as I can. In relation to the question about military support, I want to be clear: the UK stands with our Gulf allies in a defensive capacity. As the shadow Foreign Secretary alluded to, we do provide capability to our friends and partners in the Gulf to protect themselves against these attacks. We do also continue to provide permissions to the United States to use our airbases, where they are taking defensive action on behalf of our partners and allies. Those arrangements have been discussed by the relevant Ministers from the Ministry of Defence on a number of occasions, and they remain in place.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Question
I ask this question in all sincerity. Throughout this conflict, the Government have pleaded for de-escalation, but if Iran is gratuitously escalating, should we not give unambiguous support to the Americans for retaliating? Who else is going to retaliate against gratuitous escalation by Iran if it is not the Americans? Rather than hedging our bets, can we not give more unambiguous support—if not military support, then political support—for the United States’ efforts to resolve this conflict? It has already given so much ground in the negotiations. We cannot complain that it has not tried to be as reasonable as it possibly can.
Minister reply
I have sought in all my remarks to remain grounded in the relevant principles of international law. It is absolutely clear that the strikes Iran has conducted this week in Omani waters or on the territory of our friends and partners are a breach of international law. That then provides, under the relevant framework, options for response. We are not party to that response, but we are party to seeking to shoot down these attacks when they threaten our friends and partners. I do not want to enter into an emotional discussion of these questions. We are absolutely clear that what is happening in the strait of Hormuz and the wider region is a threat to international law, which this Chamber and this country hold dear, and it must be upheld.
Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that among the geopolitical military strategy and the diplomatic negotiations surrounding the conflict, we must not lose sight of the millions of innocent civilians across the region who are trapped in the middle of violence, displaced from their homes, hungry and without access to healthcare, while grieving loved ones and living without safety and security? Will he set out what steps the Government are taking to press all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, to protect civilians from acute hunger and allow them access to basic healthcare?
Minister reply
As I alluded to earlier, the impact on the cost of living in this country from the events in the strait of Hormuz is obvious and pronounced, but it is even more acute across the region—for example, in Yemen, where people already face severe and acute malnutrition. The economic pressure caused by these continued closures will plunge some of the most vulnerable people in the world even deeper into hunger and poverty, and we are raising that point in all our engagements.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
The flagrant breaches of the ceasefire that have taken place clearly demonstrate that Iran has no interest in anything other than dominating the region. The Minister may call in the chargé d’affaires, and he may call for action, but we want to see some action from the UK Government. Will he undertake to expel those people who are involved in action in the UK that threatens Iranian citizens living in the UK who are not part of this regime? Will he take action to ensure that the so-called foreign diplomats in the Iranian embassy are kicked out, to demonstrate that we are not going to tolerate this?
Minister reply
It is important that we maintain relations with the regime in Tehran. It is important, for many of the reasons that have been alluded to this morning, that we continue to make our point of view understood forcefully and directly to Iranian representatives.
The hon. Gentleman asks about concrete steps. The Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the hon. Member for Witney (Charlie Maynard), alluded to one that was voted through just last night—one that was not put in place over the period of the previous Government. We are taking the steps required to ensure that Britain has the armoury necessary to take action against state threats, including those that emanate from Iran, as we heard from the judge in the case on Friday.
Question
My hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Charlie Maynard) has alluded to Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who are still imprisoned in Tehran. Craig Foreman is on day 61 of his hunger strike, and Lindsay Foreman is on day 50 of her hunger strike. They clearly need to be released immediately and returned to the UK. I understand that the Minister said he did not want to be drawn on this matter, but will he tell me why the Government will not publicly and officially declare the imprisonment to be arbitrary? Why will they not provide Craig and Lindsay Foreman with diplomatic protection, work closely with allies to get them released and bring their case before the International Court of Justice?
Minister reply
The reason I am not often keen to be drawn in this Chamber on specific cases is that I have to make a judgment, as the whole Government do, about what we can do in the best interests of British nationals detained overseas. The hon. Lady references arbitrary detention—a concept that does not exist in UK law. She also mentions the ICJ—I think she is referring to a previous case, which was withdrawn—and the view held by some that that would be a helpful thing to do in other cases.
Unfortunately, the responsibilities that fall to me mean that I need to be careful publicly what I say about particular cases, particularly when they are about two named individuals who are under the jurisdiction of the Iranians. All the responsibilities for the welfare of Craig and Lindsay Foreman fall, for now, on the authorities in Tehran. Until they are released, which they should be immediately, Iran must take full care of our nationals under its control.
Mark Pritchard
Con
The Wrekin
Question
I join the Minister in condemning Iran’s attacks in the region, but at some point very soon the UK will need to review its own defensive posture vis-à-vis UK armed forces responses in the region. Iran’s nuclear programme is diminished, not destroyed. Its ballistic missile programme is diminished, not destroyed. The Iranian regime is diminished, not destroyed. Meanwhile, the Iranian people continue to suffer—many of them have been executed in the last few days—and so do our friends and allies in the region, as we have seen over the last few hours. My constituents in Shropshire also continue to suffer, because of higher fuel prices. The United States has been around for 250 years; Iran—Persia—has been around for 2,500 years. Given that President Trump is supposed to be the great dealmaker, does the Minister agree that the Iranians are perhaps a little better at doing deals—or at not doing deals—than President Trump first thought when he set out on this adventure? Does the Minister also agree that it is perhaps time for the United Nations to get more involved?
Minister reply
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for the opportunity to comment on the role that the United Nations has played in recent weeks, particularly the role of the IMO. We support the IMO’s efforts, because there are many seafarers whose welfare depends on being able to get out of the strait of Hormuz safely. We have been in regular contact with the IMO, and we support its efforts; it is absolutely vital that it can make them. For diplomatic reasons, I will decline to comment on age versus youth as a superior skill in diplomacy.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
I am glad that the Minister made that point. May I welcome his acknowledgment and recognition of the implications for domestic industry of what is happening in the Gulf, especially for our food producers and food price inflation? The Minister’s Department has an enormous amount of expertise and knowledge. Will he give me some assurance that that expertise and knowledge is being deployed across Government so that we can mitigate the worst effects on our domestic economy, especially in relation to giving early warning of what is going on?
Minister reply
That is a very important question. I was involved in foreign affairs before I came to this House, and I recognise that, perhaps more so than in practically any period in recent history, foreign affairs determines the cost of living for every one of our constituents, and sets the circumstances in which every business in every constituency is now operating. The Foreign Office is seeking to play its full role across Government in helping British businesses and Britons to navigate what are difficult times.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Question
The Minister and I have a shared interest in Yemen, and I am sure he will welcome the fact that next week, the International Development Committee is holding a focused inquiry into the current situation in Yemen, particularly the issue of malnutrition. More generally, can the Minister give us confidence that contingency plans are in place for communication with British citizens in the Gulf if the situation escalates further?
Minister reply
I welcome the right hon. Gentleman’s focus on Yemen. I reassure the House that I do remain focused on Yemen, as do other Ministers—it is vital that we see the release of the detained humanitarian workers, access to humanitarian supplies for the Yemenis, and peace and security for a country that is much benighted. I can also reassure the right hon. Gentleman that we do have contingency plans in place, and I encourage Members of this House to encourage their constituents to look at travel advice. We have relaxed the travel advice in recent weeks, particularly in the Gulf region. We do our best to make sure our advice is as up to date as possible, and people should look at it before they travel. We try not to be over-cautious; we will do all the contingency planning we can, but British nationals also have a responsibility to take sensible precautions.
Question
Asked what the UK Government are doing to maximise pressure on both Iran and the US to come back to the negotiating table, through sanctions and so forth.
Minister reply
Responded that there are international principles in play beyond just Iran or the US. The government is seeking to ensure talks succeed by talking directly to Tehran and Washington.
Question
Asked if energy supply routes are safe and there is no risk of blackouts this winter.
Minister reply
Said that while global energy supply chains are under considerable pressure, the government keeps contingency plans for the region under review.
Jeremy Corbyn
Lab
Islington North
Question
Asked about US flights from the UK to bomb Iran and whether the British government is consulted on targets. Suggested bringing in Pakistan’s good offices to arrange a ceasefire.
Minister reply
Replied that arrangements governing UK-US military co-operation remain in place, and he has been in regular contact with mediators including those in Islamabad.
Question
Asked for assurance that FCDO keeps plans for evacuation of British nationals in the region under review.
Minister reply
Reassured the House that contingency plans are kept under close review and they were grateful for co-operation during previous evacuations.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Asked about discussions with NATO and USA allies to collectively respond to Iran’s state-sponsored terrorism.
Minister reply
Responded that threats posed by the IRGC are recognised, and domestic measures are being introduced in relation to state threats.
Shadow Comment
Priti Patel
Shadow Comment
The shadow accused Iran's regime of violating the ceasefire by attacking commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz. She cited UN data showing three tankers attacked in a single day, highlighting increased attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait. The shadow questioned the Government’s actions to protect British nationals and allies during these strikes, criticising its lack of substance compared to US action. She further challenged the effectiveness of UK defence spending and criticised Labour's approach to negotiations.
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