Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: Iran

19 October 2021 · 11 other contributors · 11,850 words

Opened by Stephen Crabb Con Preseli Pembrokeshire

Responding minister: James Cleverly

Foreign Affairs

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Stephen Crabb raised concerns about joint comprehensive plan of action: iran in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Mr Crabb expressed deep concern over Iran's nuclear violations, including enrichment to 60% purity and advancements in ballistic missile capabilities.
  • Mr Crabb noted that the JCPOA has failed to prevent Iran from engaging in attacks on oil tankers, plotting kidnappings, and detaining foreign nationals.
  • Mr Crabb urged the Minister to support the IAEA's role in verifying Iranian activities and to consider supplementary nuclear restrictions.

Key requests to Government

Mr Crabb urged the Minister to ensure supplementary nuclear restrictions are being considered by the UK and its partners. He also called for stronger support of the IAEA's role in verifying Iranian activities and maintaining enforcement of restrictions, and asked that censuring Iran at the upcoming board meeting of the IAEA be kept as an option. The Member asks the Government to recognise Nazanin as a hostage, punish those responsible for her detention through Magnitsky sanctions, keep the promise to settle the UK's debt to Iran, and secure a commitment in the JCPOA negotiations to end hostage taking.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Stephen Crabb Con Preseli Pembrokeshire

Mr Crabb expressed deep concern over Iran's escalating nuclear violations, including uranium enrichment to 60% purity and significant advancements in its ballistic missile programme. He noted that the JCPOA has failed to dissuade Iran from conducting wider activities such as attacking oil tankers and military personnel, plotting kidnappings, and holding foreign nationals hostage. The MP warned that Iran's breakout time for producing enough weapons-grade uranium may now be just months or even weeks, a significant decrease from 12 months in 2015. The Member is concerned about the detention of her constituent, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has been jailed for over 2,000 days on trumped-up charges. She criticises the lack of progress in securing Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release and highlights the failure to use the JCPOA process to address hostage diplomacy effectively.

Other contributors (11)
  • Alyn Smith SNP Na h-Eileanan an Iar

    He supported the JCPOA, acknowledging its failings but stressing that it is a better chance of bringing Iran to negotiations than alternative options. He expressed concern over recent actions by UK Government Ministers that undermine respect for international law and set bad examples.

  • Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

    Mr Bowie recalled his experience on HMS Kent in 2009, noting the ominous presence of Iranian vessels. He expressed concern about Iran's current state under President Raisi, who is sanctioned along with 12 members of his Cabinet. He urged the UK Government to follow the US and proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Mr Bowie highlighted the effectiveness of sanctions against Iran, noting that they dropped trade by $18 billion during 2019-2020. However, he raised concerns about potential relaxation in sanctions enforcement under the Biden Administration, which could embolden Iran's destabilising policies and nuclear programme.

  • Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire

    Congratulates Caroline Nokes on sponsoring the debate and expresses concern that dealing with Iran's current Government, led by President Raisi, will be difficult due to their principled stance against sanctions. Reiterates his concern about Iran's threat to Israel and supports the view of Israeli leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid regarding the existential danger posed by Iran.

  • Bob Blackman Con Harrow East

    Mr Blackman argued that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was a mistake because Iran cannot be trusted, citing evidence of Iranian ballistic missiles and involvement in terrorism. He questioned the actions taken against Iran for breaching diplomatic channels and asked what consequences would follow. Mr Blackman also expressed concerns about inviting Ebrahim Raisi to COP26 due to his history with human rights abuses and urged that Iran not be allowed to secure nuclear weapons.

  • Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South

    Supports the idea that Iran plays a significant role in destabilizing nations in the Middle East through groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, suggesting that every group linked with the revolutionary guard should be proscribed. Wakeford highlighted the threat posed by the Iranian regime to Jewish communities in his constituency and beyond. He mentioned numerous arrests or expulsions of Iranians in various countries for engaging in assassination and terrorist activities, emphasizing Iran's sponsorship of terrorism against perceived adversaries, including Jews and Israelis worldwide.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Mr Jim Shannon expressed condolences for Sir David Amess and discussed Iran's violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He mentioned that Iran had enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels, accumulating 10 kg of uranium and over 120 kg of 20% enriched uranium, exceeding permitted enrichment levels. Shannon cited IAEA reports indicating serious verification issues due to Tehran's refusal of inspector access. He supported the National Council of Resistance of Iran's five recommendations including reinstating UN Security Council resolutions, stopping Iran's enrichment programme, and proscribing the IRGC under the Terrorism Act 2000.

  • Robert Halfon

    Agrees that the original purpose of the nuclear agreement was to reduce Iranian terrorism and promote democracy but argues that none of these goals have been achieved; instead, terrorist activities have increased in the Middle East due to Iran's support. Mr Halfon described Iran as the Soviet Union of the Middle East, criticising its oppression of citizens and use of terrorism. He argued that the JCPOA failed to curb Iran's nuclear programme and questioned whether returning to it would alter Iran's behaviour. Mr Halfon also suggested considering Magnitsky-style sanctions against Iran for human rights abuses and support for terrorism.

  • Scott Benton Con Wirral West

    He expressed regret over the failure of diplomatic efforts to bring Iran back into compliance with the JCPOA. He highlighted that Iran has accelerated uranium enrichment and now produces uranium metal, despite triggering the dispute resolution mechanism in January 2021. Benton stressed the need for clear red lines and urged the UK not to rule out any measures to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons.

  • Steve McCabe

    The JCPOA was sceptical from the start due to distrust of the Iranian regime's compliance. The deal involved Iran reducing its stockpile of uranium and limiting centrifuges, but by 2019 it had decided to lift these limits. By August this year, enough enriched uranium for a bomb is believed to be imminent. Iran now wants talks while continuing its nuclear programme. Ebrahim Raisi's leadership poses risks as he aims to purify Iran of dissent and bolster the IRGC. A new deal must address regional threats, stop enrichment completely, allow verifiable inspections, and not protect the IRGC.

  • Theresa Villiers

    The international sanctions against Iran before the JCPOA significantly pressured the Iranian regime, but lifting these sanctions gave more money to fund its proxies and left it free to pursue genocidal intentions towards Israel. The deal did not address Iran's ballistic missile programme, sponsorship of terrorism, or human rights abuses. Iran is now in flagrant breach of its obligations, taking steps that indicate a rush to develop nuclear weapons.

  • Wayne David Lab Caerphilly

    Mr Wayne David expressed concern about the stalled multilateral negotiations with Iran, citing recent reports that suggest Iran could produce enough nuclear material for a bomb within months. He also raised concerns over human rights abuses in Iran and suggested the need for Magnitsky-style sanctions against perpetrators.

Government Response

James Cleverly

It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Nokes. I am grateful to my right hon. Friend the Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Stephen Crabb) for securing this incredibly important and timely debate. We have heard thoughtful, balanced and significant contributions by a number of hon. and right hon. Members this afternoon. Iran's nuclear programme is more advanced and worrying than it has perhaps ever been. The International Atomic Energy Agency has verified that Iran has produced uranium metal enriched up to 20% for the first time, and Iran has significantly increased its capability to produce uranium enriched up to 60%. There is no doubt about this. The IAEA's access has been restricted, precisely at the time that Iran is escalating its activities. The diplomatic door remains open, but Iran must urgently return to talks in Vienna and engage in good faith. We remain committed to delivering a successful deal. A restored deal could pave the way for further discussions on regional and security concerns, including in support of the non-proliferation regime. The UK currently has more than 200 sanctions designations against Iran, including those related to human rights abuses and against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in its entirety. We will continue our approach based on a combination of engagement, pressure and incentives.

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