Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Buckingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterparts in the (a) European Union and (b) US Administration on Iran’s ballistic missile programme.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The Foreign Secretary and her officials hold regular discussions with European partners and the US on a range of issues concerning Iran, including its nuclear and ballistic missiles programme. The most recent meeting which included consideration of Iran's ballistic missiles took place at Political Director level in November. The UK, French and German Political Directors were joined by US Special Envoy on Iran, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt and Jordan, to discuss their mutual concerns at Iranian use and transfer of ballistic missiles. Alongside France and Germany (as E3), we have also written repeatedly to the UN Secretary-General, most recently on 11 August, to bring attention to Iranian missile activity inconsistent with UNSCR 2231, the resolution which underpins the JCPoA.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Buckingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications of his policies of reports of Iran’s successful enrichment of uranium to 60 per cent purity.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
Iran continues its systematic non-compliance with its nuclear commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). On 16 April Iran announced that it had started uranium enrichment up to 60% using advanced centrifuges, which is a serious and worrying development in violation of its nuclear commitments. The production of highly enriched uranium is an important step in the production of a nuclear weapon. Iran has no credible civilian need for enrichment at this level.
We are currently engaged in intensive discussions in Vienna with other participants and the US aimed at returning the US to the JCPoA, bringing Iran back into full compliance with its commitments and restoring the benefits of the deal for all.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Buckingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with international partners on pursuing a strengthened nuclear deal that addresses Iran’s support for terrorism and ballistic missile programme.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
A restored and fully implemented Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) could provide the confidence to further address regional and security concerns. As such, we welcome and support President Biden's commitment to not just return to the deal, but to strengthen and extend it. A substantive effort is required to improve regional security and Iran's role in destabilising the region needs to be addressed
We have been engaged in intensive discussions in Vienna with other JCPoA participants and the US, which are aimed at returning the US to the JCPoA, bringing Iran back into full compliance with its commitments and restoring the benefits of the deal for all.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Buckingham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What progress has been made on the international review of the content of Palestinian Authority school textbooks.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK is concerned about allegations of incitement in Palestinian Authority textbooks. The Foreign Secretary raised this with the Palestinian Authority (PA) during his visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in August.
An independent, EU commissioned, review of PA textbooks is ongoing. In July, an interim report was submitted to the EU. We have regular discussions with our European Partners to encourage them to finalise the report as soon as possible. Officials discussed the review with the EU most recently on 19 November.