Middle East

Baroness Altmann Excerpts

Thursday 19th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)]

I certainly join the noble Baroness in her last comment in wishing everyone a successful conclusion to Ramadan.

It is not a question of simply saying, “That’s wrong and that’s wrong”. What we have faced in relation to Iran is a state that has committed crimes across the globe, even here in this country, and we need to be aware of that. We are facing a situation where tens of thousands of civilians have been killed in Iran for standing up for their democratic rights.

The Prime Minister was clear why we made the determination in terms of our view of international law and not putting our forces in any doubt about their role. But once Iran started indiscriminately bombing and attacking its neighbours, which had not participated in the first attack, that was when we needed to ensure decisive defensive action, which we will continue to do. I come back to what I said to the noble Lord just now. At the end of the day, we want to see a negotiated settlement and something that is sustainable, but it cannot be on the basis that Iran can continue to develop nuclear weapons or to pose state threats.

[Baroness Altmann (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I too thank our Armed Forces and echo the greetings “Eid Mubarak” to all who are celebrating tomorrow, but I want to pick up on what the Minister has already said. The Iranian regime, through the IRGC, has cracked down violently on its own people, killing tens of thousands. Via its proxy, Hezbollah, it has attacked British interests at RAF Akrotiri. Can I ask about the threats of Iranian-linked activity on British soil? Twenty IRGC-linked plots are being monitored and four recent arrests of people conducting surveillance on Jewish sites have been made. The pro-Iran regime vigils and demonstrations have added to the sense of threat felt by the Jewish communities in this country—and I declare my interest as a proud British Jew. When will the Government proscribe the IRGC?

[Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)]

I think I have indicated the nature of the regime in Iran and the way that it has undermined and attacked people not only within its own country but across the globe. That is why the UK now has over 550 sanctions against Iranian-linked individuals and entities, including, let us not forget, the IRGC, which has been sanctioned in its entirety. Over 220 designations have been imposed since this Government came into office. It is a long-standing position under successive Administrations, as the noble Baroness knows, not to comment on the detail of security and intelligence matters, including whether a specific organisation is being considered for proscription. But we recognise, as she rightly pointed out, the threat posed by the IRGC and will not hesitate to take the most effective measures against the Iranian regime. A separate list of proscribed terrorist organisations is kept under review, and the threats to the UK are kept under review. I remind the noble Baroness that we have made a commitment: Jonathan Hall KC, as the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, has examined how the UK’s legal framework should address hostile activity by state actors and entities, and we are committed to taking his recommendations forward.