Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help prevent an escalation of conflict in Iran.

The strategic aim for the UK, and our international partners, remains as it has always been: to de-escalate tensions, to hold Iran to account for its nefarious activities, and to keep the diplomatic door open for the regime to negotiate a peaceful way forwards. As we have emphasised in the House in recent days, we are in close contact with all sides to encourage de-escalation and to support peace and stability.

The Prime Minister has spoken to President Trump, President Macron, Chancellor Merkel, Prime Minister Abdulmehdi of Iraq and President Rouhani of Iran to send a clear and consistent message on the need for de-escalation and to find a diplomatic way forward. We continue to raise this matter with international partners. The Foreign Secretary has been in constant contact with leaders and foreign ministers from across the globe and we have taken steps to increase the security of our personnel and interests in the region. The E3 (the UK, France and Germany) have jointly taken action to hold Iran to account for its systematic non-compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. We have formally triggered the Dispute Resolution Mechanism, thereby referring Iran to the Joint Commission.