Debates between John Howell and Matthew Offord during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Iran’s Influence in the Middle East

Debate between John Howell and Matthew Offord
Wednesday 22nd March 2017

(7 years, 2 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Matthew Offord Portrait Dr Offord
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I am going to focus purely on the influence within the region. If other hon. Members wish to concern themselves with conditions in Iran itself, that will be very welcome.

John Howell Portrait John Howell (Henley) (Con)
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To pick up on the previous intervention, something that links Iran’s international and the domestic activities is that it has passed a new counter-terrorism law to try to clean up the country. At least, that is what it claims—but it does not include Hezbollah and Hamas. Does my hon. Friend agree that that is the most worrying sign of all?

Matthew Offord Portrait Dr Offord
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That certainly is a worrying sign. As I will go on to explain, those organisations are some of the recipients of significant amounts of resources that come from the Iranian regime.