Contributions
2,121 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD IranI agree with the shadow Foreign Secretary in her condemnation of the brutality and horrendous actions of the Iranian regime and the threats that it poses. She will know that when…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranWith permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will update the House on the disturbing developments unfolding in Iran. Horrific reports suggest that potentially thousands of people have…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranIt is exactly because we take so seriously the issues around freedom of belief that we have appointed a UK envoy to keep pursuing this matter, because it is so important. These…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranWe have strongly pushed for greater transparency, including in the overseas territories. My hon. Friend the Minister covering the overseas territories continues to do that with…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranI urge China to support the UN sanctions process that was triggered by the snapback that the UK, France and Germany instigated in October. It is essential that China does so,…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranIt is exactly because we want peace and stability in the region that we supported the 20-point plan to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. As I have said, that is still fragile and there…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranWe want the people of Iran to be able to communicate with each other. This is about the people of Iran, their courage and their most basic rights to be able to communicate with…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranIt is the 25th anniversary of the women, peace and security resolution at the United Nations. At the heart of that resolution is not just that we should stand up for women victims…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranThe action that we saw with the vessel that was interdicted by the US was an example of enforcement of sanctions that was supported by the UK, and as we saw, that vessel had links…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranAs I set out in my statement, we have summoned the Iranian ambassador to account for the horrendous reports that we have seen emerging this morning. That follows the co-ordinated…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranWe should be clear that this is not just about the IRGC; this is about the whole of the Iranian regime—we have looked at the brutality and at what has been taking place. I have…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranThe hon. Member is right to talk about the difference being the way that this has spread right across Iran, including small towns in different parts of Iran as well as the capital…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranI can reassure my hon. Friend that we take immensely seriously the state-backed threats here in the UK, including the Iranian-backed threats against Jewish communities in the UK…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranI assure the hon. Gentleman that the police and security services have our full backing in all the work that they do to keep us safe from state-backed threats, including…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranLet me say again that the future of Iran must be for the Iranian people. We should also be clear that it is not currently—there is not currently any opportunity for the Iranian…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranAs we have seen with the case of the Bella, which was interdicted by US forces with the support of the UK, there is often a nefarious link, including through the shadow fleet,…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranThere is a wider issue of the impact of Iranian regime activity across the region, including supporting terrorist and extremist proxies and other organisations. We are…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranMy hon. Friend will understand the importance of having an effective sanctions regime. I am happy to talk to him further about the point he raises, but as he will understand, the…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranObviously, it is for the US to set out its approach. I have set out the approach that we are taking here. I welcome the hon. Member’s condemnation of the brutality that we are…13 Jan 2026HANSARD IranThe point my hon. Friend makes is one of the reasons why I highlighted in my statement that the work of our embassy is so important because it is also about the safety of British…13 Jan 2026