Written Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Middle East: Oil – 9 February 2012
Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire South, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the potential economic effects of a full-scale oil embargo on Iran.
William Hague (Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; Richmond (Yorks), Conservative)
The aim of the EU oil embargo on Iran, agreed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January, is to put pressure on Iran to negotiate seriously with the international community over its nuclear programme. The embargo will come into effect on 1 July. It is already causing consumers of Iranian oil to turn to other producers for supplies. The economic effects of a full-scale embargo are difficult to predict. Much would depend on the availability of alternative sources of oil supply. But the direct effect would be a loss to Iran of its oil revenues.
The aim of the measure, as with all sanctions, is to increase peaceful pressure on Iran to encourage them to return to the table on the nuclear issue.
Written Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iran: Politics and Government – 8 February 2012
Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire South, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the (a) Iranian economy and (b) effect of the international sanctions regime on that economy.
William Hague (Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; Richmond (Yorks), Conservative)
The Iranian economy is already weakened by government mismanagement. As a result of this, Iran has experienced high inflation and unemployment for some time.
The aim of sanctions is to encourage Iran to negotiate seriously and meaningfully on the nuclear issue. The sanctions are intended to bring pressure to bear on the regime as well as to target the nuclear programme. We judge that their impact is increasing. The Iranian Government can act to bring sanctions to an end.
Written Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation – 8 February 2012
Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire South, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential consequences of recent changes to the regime in North Korea on efforts to stem nuclear proliferation in the region.
William Hague (Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; Richmond (Yorks), Conservative)
There is no evidence to suggest that North Korea’s nuclear proliferation activities have ceased as a result of changes to the regime in North Korea. We will continue to work with our international partners, including in the UN and the EU, to counter the risk posed by nuclear proliferation in the region. The UK will also continue to urge North Korea to return to the 6 Party Talks on the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
Written Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iran: Sanctions – 7 February 2012
Dan Byles (North Warwickshire, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the time period within which Iran could develop a nuclear capability under present circumstances.
Alistair Burt (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Afghanistan/South Asia, counter terrorism/proliferation, North America, Middle East and North Africa), Foreign and Commonwealth Office; North East Bedfordshire, Conservative)
Iran already has certain capabilities in the nuclear field, most notably the capability to enrich uranium. As the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) most recent report on the Iranian nuclear programme makes clear, Iran has conducted activities relevant, and in some cases specific, to the development of nuclear weapons. Iran continues to expand its stockpile of near-20% enriched uranium. Its continuing production of this material—in defiance of United Nations Security Council Resolutions—brings it closer to the day when it will have sufficient stocks to further enrich this material to weapons-grade and produce a nuclear device, should it so choose. This causes us grave concern about the ultimate purpose of the Iranian nuclear programme.
The example of the Qom uranium enrichment facility, which Iran initially kept secret from the IAEA, also raises our concerns that there may also be other, undeclared sites in Iran that could be engaged in work designed to shorten this timeline further. This is why it is important for Iran to allow the IAEA the access it requires to address the international community’s concerns on these and other issues, as the UN Security Council has instructed it to do.
Ministerial Statement — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Foreign Affairs Council – 30 January 2012
David Lidington (Minister of State (Europe and NATO), Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Aylesbury, Conservative)
The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) was held on 23 January in Brussels. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I attended.
The FAC was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton of Upholland. A provisional report of the meeting and all conclusions adopted can be found at:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/127480.pdf
The agenda items covered were as follows:
Iran
Ministers agreed an extensive package of sanctions and accompanying conclusions (see link above) focusing on Iran’s nuclear programme. The measures adopted include a phased embargo on Iranian oil; freezing the Central Bank of Iran’s assets; and sanctions on the petrochemical sector, gold and precious metal and dual-use goods.
Following the meeting, the Foreign Secretary said:
“Today’s action demonstrates the EU’s growing concern about Iran’s nuclear programme, and our determination to increase peaceful, legitimate pressure on Iran to return to negotiations.
It is action made necessary by Iran’s defiance of six UN Security Council resolutions and its refusal to enter negotiations over its nuclear programme. Iran’s recent decision to commence 20% enrichment at its underground site at Qom shows that it continues to choose a path of provocation. This is an enrichment programme that has no plausible civilian use, in a site that the Iranian authorities hoped to keep secret.
We call again on Iran to answer the serious questions raised by the International Atomic Energy Agency, to adhere to UN Security Council Resolutions and to suspend its enrichment programme in accordance with them. Iran has it in its power to end sanctions by changing course and addressing the concerns of the international community. We are ready to talk at any point if Iran puts aside its preconditions. Today’s sanctions show how serious EU member states are about preventing nuclear proliferation and pressing Iran to return to the negotiating table. We will urge other nations across the world to implement similar measures and to increase the impact of the measures the EU has adopted”.
The Prime Minister made a statement on the Iranian sanctions with President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel on 23 January—see link below
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/iran-sanctions/
[...]
Written Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iran – 25 January 2012
Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports that Iran may close the Strait of Hormuz; and if he will make a statement.
Alistair Burt (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Afghanistan/South Asia, counter terrorism/proliferation, North America, Middle East and North Africa), Foreign and Commonwealth Office; North East Bedfordshire, Conservative)
As the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend Mr Hammond, said on 5 January:
“It is in the interests of all nations that the arteries of global trade are kept free, opening and running. Disruption to the flow of oil through Strait of Hormuz would threaten regional and global economic growth. Any attempt by Iran to do this would be illegal and unsuccessful.”
Given that 95% of Iran’s oil exports transit the Strait of Hormuz, it is against Iran’s own interests to seek to close the Strait.
Iran’s threats will not distract our attention from the real issue, which is the nature of its nuclear programme. We call on Iran to respond constructively to the international community’s concerns and engage seriously with the UK, United States of America, France, Germany, Russia and China—the so-called E3+3.
Written Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Foreign Affairs Council (23 January) and General Affairs Council (27 January) – 18 January 2012
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I will attend the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January. I will also attend the General Affairs Council on 27 January.
Foreign affairs council
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, will chair the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January.
Iran
As agreed at the December 2011 FAC, Ministers should be presented with a package to expand and strengthen EU sanctions against Iran, including an oil embargo and further restrictions on finance, petrochemicals and gold. If agreed, these measures will reflect the degree of EU concern about the continued development of the Iran’s nuclear programme. These robust measures aim to reduce Iran’s ability to fund its nuclear programme and to encourage it to resume serious and meaningful negotiations.
Syria
In response to the continuing repression, we are pushing to agree strong conclusions on Syria and a further round of EU sanctions. The UK has proposed an additional list of 21 military and security officials we believe are responsible for the violence against civilians. We are also working with partners to agree further sanctions at the February FAC. [...]
Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Topical Questions – 17 January 2012
Martin Horwood (Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat)
As we discovered during events surrounding the invasion of Iraq, it is essential for states to act only on hard evidence. In relation to Iran, will the Secretary of State encourage not only Iran itself but the whole international community to listen carefully to the International Atomic Energy Agency this time?
William Hague (Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; Richmond (Yorks), Conservative)
Yes, it is very important to listen carefully to what is said by the International Atomic Energy Authority. As my hon. Friend will know, it was a report from the IAEA which, in November, referred to the military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear programme and the concern that was felt about it. That has fortified our determination—the determination of countries throughout the European Union—to adopt the measures that we will be discussing next week although, as my hon. Friend has said, they must always be based on hard evidence.
Written Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Iran – 17 January 2012
Ian Austin (Dudley North, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the Iranian nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement.
William Hague (Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; Richmond (Yorks), Conservative)
I am gravely concerned about the Iranian nuclear programme. Iran continues to flout six UN Security Council resolutions requiring it to suspend uranium enrichment. It recently began operations at its uranium enrichment plant near Qom and has conducted significant military-related nuclear activities. Pressure will only increase until Iran is ready to respect its international obligations and negotiate.
Written Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Iran: Sanctions – 17 January 2012
Michael Ellis (Northampton North, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had on the effectiveness of the international community’s Iranian sanctions programme.
Alistair Burt (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Afghanistan/South Asia, counter terrorism/proliferation, North America, Middle East and North Africa), Foreign and Commonwealth Office; North East Bedfordshire, Conservative)
I have had a wide range of discussions with the UK’s international partners about the effectiveness of sanctions against Iran. The E3+3 group—made up of the UK, US, France, Germany, Russia and China—supports a policy of pressure on and engagement with Iran. The EU has supported a range of strong sanctions against Iran, designed to bring it back to the negotiating table on the nuclear issue and—separately—to highlight our concerns about Iranian human rights abuses. We and our partners believe that sanctions on the nuclear issue can slow the development of the Iranian programme, as well as pressing Iran to negotiate seriously with the international community.
