Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Monday 20 March 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister outlined steps to address the threat from Iran on 20 February.
  • Minister expressed willingness to meet individuals concerned about IRGC proscription.
  • Honorable member asked for indication of when IRGC would be proscribed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the presence of Iranian military organizations operating within the UK.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to close facilities used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the UK.

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

As I outlined in my statement to the House on 20 February, we are taking increasing steps to address the threat from Iran. Today of all days, we should say, “Nowruz etan Pyrouz.”

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions against IRGC facilities were not detailed.

How: Today Of All Days, We Should Say, “Nowruz Etan Pyrouz.”

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Q2 Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is requesting immediate action to protect citizens from Iranian state activities.

Question

Will they please protect us from transnational repression by shutting down these cut-outs of the Iranian state? I also ask the Home Secretary or the Security Minister to meet Vahid Beheshti, who is on day 26 of a hunger strike outside the Foreign Office because he wants the IRGC proscribed.

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

I would be very happy to meet him and, indeed, anybody else who takes the threat of the IRGC in this country as seriously as we do. We have had this work ongoing for a number of months now, and my hon. Friend will be aware that asking for actions to be taken means we must be legally compliant with the responses.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific legal compliance issues were not detailed.

How: No Words About Last Winter Can Bring Cheer; Don'T Speak Of Yesterday—Rejoice Today.

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is requesting information on when the IRGC will be proscribed.

Question

I think that everybody in this House wants to see it proscribed, so can the Minister give us some indication of when that will happen?

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

The hon. Gentleman knows very well, sadly, that we cannot discuss individual proscriptions, so I will not go down that route. This Thursday is the beginning of Ramadan, and I am sure everybody in this House wishes every Muslim in our community Ramadan kareem.

Not addressed: Specific timeline for proscription was not provided.

How: The Hon. Gentleman Knows Very Well, Sadly, That We Cannot Discuss Individual Proscriptions., This Thursday Is The Beginning Of Ramadan

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