Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Iran: Support for Hamas

Tuesday 24 October 2023 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Henry Smith asked about Iran's potential involvement in supporting Hamas for terror attacks on Israel.
  • Greg Smith questioned the Foreign Secretary on Iran's arming, funding, and training of terror groups, to which the response agreed with the assessment of Iran's malign influence.
  • Henry Smith inquired about diplomatic efforts to protect and enhance the Abraham accords in light of Iran's destabilizing role in the Middle East.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Henry Smith Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from reports suggesting Iran's support for Hamas, which has been linked to the terror attacks on Israel. The concern is over the extent of Iran's role and its impact on regional security.

Question

Whether he has received reports on the potential involvement of Iran in providing support for Hamas for terror attacks on Israel.

Answer from James Cleverly

Hamas is responsible for these appalling terrorist attacks. We know that Iran has been a long-term funder and supporter of Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Iran's support for these militant groups has a destabilising impact on regional and international security, and we remain ever watchful of its actions.

Answered
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Q2 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Foreign Affairs
Context

There are reports of Iran providing $100 million annually to Hamas, which has been linked to the brutal massacre in Israel. The questioner seeks clarity on the threat posed by Iran.

Question

I am grateful to the Foreign Secretary for that answer. Iran's fingerprints are all over Hamas's brutal massacre in Israel. Iran's blatant arming, funding—worth $100 million a year—and training of terror groups around the region is no secret. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we must be absolutely clear about the threat posed by Iran abroad and at home, and that now is the time for a policy reset?

Answer from James Cleverly

I completely agree with my hon. Friend's assessment of Iran's malign influence. The Government and the FCDO are well aware of this, and I can assure him that we have been clear-eyed throughout the work we do with regard to Iran and its influence in the region. We will remain ever watchful. I am sure that no reset is required, because we are very conscious of Iran's impact on the region.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific policy reset mentioned, only assurance of awareness without concrete actions

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Q3 Henry Smith Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Iranian regime is seen as a threat to the stability of the Middle East and the protection of regional peace agreements like the Abraham accords.

Question

What diplomatic efforts are His Majesty's Government taking to protect and, indeed, enhance the Abraham accords in the light of the fact that the Iranian regime is clearly seeking to engender discord and, indeed, conflict in the middle east?

Answer from James Cleverly

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that the Abraham accords have been a force for good. We need to protect them and ideally enhance them. Anything that sees greater co-operation between Israel and the Arab world has to be a step in the right direction when it comes to the creation of a sustainable two-state solution. I can assure him that we remain focused on that outcome.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific diplomatic measures mentioned, only commitment without concrete actions

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Q4 Tahir Ali Lab Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerns have been raised about the possibility of Israel breaking international law, potentially leading to a need for sanctions if found guilty.

Question

This Government have rightly imposed sanctions on those states and organisations that support terrorism. Can the Secretary of State therefore clarify that if it is found, following an independent investigation, that Israel has also broken international law and committed war crimes in Gaza, his Government will consider the introduction of appropriate sanctions?

Answer from James Cleverly

The hon. Gentleman invites me to speculate about our future response to future events. At the moment, I am dealing with events in the here and now. I am trying to prevent loss of life. I am in constant conversations with the leadership in the region to try to prevent further Israeli and Palestinian loss of life.

Not addressed: Speculation on future actions avoided, focused instead on current events

How: Deflecting From Speculation

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Q5 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
Foreign Affairs
Context

Families of hostages have met with the MP, raising concerns about Iran's role in hostage-taking incidents. The United States has called on the UK to follow its lead.

Question

Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting families whose loved ones have been taken hostage. They came here to share their testimony, which was deeply moving. They raised the fact that Iran is very much behind this, so why have we yet to proscribe the IRGC? It was time a year ago, so it is surely time now. What is the excuse for waiting?

Answer from James Cleverly

I have a huge amount of sympathy for the plight of the families who have either lost loved ones or have loved ones who are still held hostage in Gaza. I will be meeting families who have members held hostage later. As I have said regularly, we are well aware of Iran's influence. Any decision about proscription will be a cross-Government decision. The advantages and disadvantages of proscribing will always be at the heart of any decision-making process, but as the hon. Lady knows, we do not comment on future sanctions or proscription designations.

Not addressed: No clear stance given on whether IRGC will be proscribed, only generic statement

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Q6 Wayne David Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

Labour has been advocating for the proscription of the IRGC, given evidence of its involvement in terrorist activities. The US has also called on the UK to follow suit.

Question

Following on from the question of the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon (Layla Moran), I emphasise that Labour has been calling on the Government for many months to proscribe the IRGC. Evidence is emerging of Iranian involvement in the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. We also understand that the United States has called on the United Kingdom to follow its example. I therefore press the Foreign Secretary: when will the Government act, by using either existing terrorism legislation or a new process of proscription directed at the IRGC?

Answer from James Cleverly

I remind the House that the IRGC—as well as certain individuals who are members of it—is sanctioned in its entirety. As I said in response to the question of the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon (Layla Moran), no international measure comes without cost. There are advantages and disadvantages to proscription, which fundamentally would mean that we could have no direct diplomatic relations with Iran. As I have said, we always take those issues seriously, and any decision will be made cross-Government, but we do not speculate on future sanctions or proscription designations.

Not addressed: No specific timeline given for proscribing IRGC, only general statements

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