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Government Policy on Iran — [Mrs Maria Miller in the Chair]
09 December 2020
Lead MP
John Howell
Henley
Con
Responding Minister
James Cleverly
Tags
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Word Count: 12250
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
John Howell raised concerns about government policy on iran — [mrs maria miller in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should outline its strategy in administering the dispute resolution mechanism of the JCPOA, clarify how it will reimpose sanctions on Iran for non-compliance, and address concerns about the expiration of UN arms embargoes. Additionally, steps should be taken towards a new comprehensive agreement addressing all issues including terrorism and nuclear ambitions.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Iran's malign activities include state-sponsored terrorism and an expanding nuclear programme that undermines the UK's interests in the region. The JCPOA has not restrained Iran's nuclear ambitions, with Iran now having 12 times the permitted amount of enriched uranium, sufficient to produce two nuclear warheads. Iran also conducts advanced testing related to nuclear weapons development beyond declared activities and supports international terrorism by funding terrorist proxies across the Middle East with up to $20 billion annually.
Alyn Smith
SNP
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Iran is behind many of the region's problems and must face consequences for its actions. However, there should be a willingness towards dialogue with a new US Administration that might have a different stance on Iran.
East Yorkshire
Sanctions relief under the JCPOA allowed Iran to increase its proxy activities and military investments. The failure to extend the UN arms embargo has led regional neighbours to strengthen their defence capabilities, and China's strategic agreement with Iran poses a challenge to UK interests.
Altrincham and Sale West
She highlighted the need for the UK to work with international partners to address Iran's activities, including its support for terrorism and nuclear programme. She called for a clear-sighted approach to tackle Tehran's harmful actions to protect UK interests.
Bassetlaw
He criticised the JCPOA agreement for failing to reduce Iran's human rights abuses, highlighting increased executions, repression of press freedom and discrimination against women and minorities. He mentioned 251 people executed in Iran in 2019 and cited examples of journalists jailed and cartoon contests promoting antisemitism.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Ms Catherine West highlighted the immense suffering of Iranian people due to their broken economy and high level of disease during the pandemic. She also mentioned the significant challenges Iran poses in terms of human rights, women's role in society, proxy wars, nuclear programme, and hostage diplomacy. Additionally, she raised concerns over US sanctions, Magnitsky tools, and harassment of BBC Persian staff and journalists by Iranian authorities.
Chris Clarkson
Con
Manchester North
Iran's regime is a bad actor on the world stage, violating human rights and international law. It continues to enrich uranium beyond permitted levels under the JCPOA and supports regimes like Syria's Assad in military assistance and terror activities through proxies such as Hezbollah.
Bury South
He highlighted Iran's support for terrorism, especially the bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires in 1994. He praised the Community Security Trust for protecting communities and called for the IRGC to be proscribed by the Government. Mr Christian Wakeford asked the Minister whether there is a role for proscribing the IRGC across Government and parties to ensure it is adopted moving forward.
Ian Paisley Jnr
DUP
North Antrim
Iran is a destabilising influence in the Middle East, backing terrorism and sponsoring extremism through organisations like Hezbollah and the Muslim Brotherhood. The UK should proscribe these groups to combat their extremist ideology.
Imran Ahmad Khan
Con
Moss Side and Wythenshawe South
Iran is home to a rich cultural history but also faces contemporary issues such as human rights abuses, sponsorship of terrorism, and threats to regional stability. The Minister should address Iran's recent attacks on the UK Parliament and Cabinet Ministers, and consider measures like reinstating the arms embargo and using Magnitsky-style sanctions.
Iran's actions are concerning as they support terrorism and instability in the Middle East. The country continues to violate the JCPOA by enriching uranium beyond permitted levels, risking nuclear weapons development.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
A constituent was unjustly detained in Iran due to his dual nationality, highlighting the need for the UK Government to address hostage diplomacy issues involving British citizens with Iranian connections.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr. Shannon highlighted the persecution of Bahá'í people in Iran, emphasizing their denial of access to higher education and facing discrimination at every stage from university admission to studying there. He urged the Government to highlight and support the Bahá'í community and ensure that any policy on Iran must help protect this religious group.
Jonathan Gullis
Lab
Ealing, RTB
Iran's regional aggression continues despite the nuclear deal in 2015. The Islamic Republic sponsors terrorism and supports extremist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, amassing up to 150,000 rockets on Lebanon's border with Israel.
Lorely Burt
LD
Solihull
She emphasised the need for international cooperation on Iran's nuclear programme, suggesting that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action should be strengthened. She also mentioned the importance of addressing water scarcity issues in the region.
Robert Largan
Con
Aldershot
Iran has been violating the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal without facing significant consequences, raising concerns about regional and global security. The conventional arms embargo on Iran expired in October, allowing it to acquire advanced weaponry from Russia and China under a $400 billion strategic deal with the latter.
Shabana Mahmood
Lab
Birmingham, Ladywood
She expressed concern about Iran's support for proxies in Syria and Yemen, highlighting the humanitarian impact. She called for a more robust approach to address human rights abuses and regional instability.
David Amess
Con
Southend West
The speaker reiterated concerns about Iran's human rights abuses, including the suppression of peaceful protests and the targeting of British MPs at a rally. He called for robust measures against Iran's nuclear activities and terrorism.
Stephen Crabb
Con
Beaconsfield
Mr. Crabb criticised the UK's policy on Iran, arguing that it appears confused and unclear due to conflicting desires for rapprochement and acknowledging Iran's negative posture. He mentioned the illegal arrest of the UK ambassador in Tehran as an example of Iran's actions against international law. Mr. Crabb urged the Government to play a strategic role between EU and US towards a new agreement addressing broader issues beyond nuclear obligations.
Steve McCabe
Lab
Birmingham Selly Oak
Iran supports terrorist groups and aims to establish an influence arc from Tehran to the Mediterranean, with clear objectives against Israel. The regime is actively undermining stability in Europe through actions like a bomb-making factory found in London and threats made by Iranian diplomats.
Government Response
James Cleverly
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Miller. I am genuinely grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Henley for bringing forward this important debate... We want to see Iran abandon its intentions to develop nuclear weapons, but we also want to see it act as a good neighbour and a responsible regional power. We want to see it end arbitrary detention and improve its domestic human rights record, and the United Kingdom Government will continue to engage with international partners and directly with the Government of Iran to bring that about.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.