Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle piracy and the disruption of commercial shipping routes in the Middle East and (b) establish proof in instances when piracy is suspected of being sponsored by the Iranian regime.

The Integrated Review outlines Her Majesty's Government's intention to contribute to maritime security, including tackling piracy and upholding the essential principle of freedom of navigation, in accordance with international law and our commitment to the Rules Based International System.

The UK is committed to assuring the safety of shipping in the Middle East region, including through the Strait of Hormuz. The UK is a member of the International Maritime Security Construct which addresses the threat in the region by providing reassurance to commercial shipping and deterring further threats.

The UK condemned the attack on the MV Mercer Street at the UN Security Council on 6 August and the Defence Secretary condemned Iran's actions at a UNSC debate on maritime security on 9 August.