House of Commons
Foreign Secretary, Rt. Hon. James Cleverly MP, confirmed there will be an investigation into the Jewish Chronicle report uncovering British universities aiding Iranian research into drone technology, and said the UK was challenging Iran’s “dangerous and continued militarisation”.
His comments came during Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Questions on Tuesday. Members of Parliament implored the Government to strengthen security relations with Israel; questioning the Department’s stance on the growing threat of Iranian weapons and militias.
CFI Parliamentary Officer, Bob Blackman MP, urged the Government to proscribe the IRGC in its entirety and raised concerns over Iran’s new developments in hypersonic technology – citing a poster boasting that their hypersonic missiles “can hit Tel Aviv in 400 seconds”. After warning that “JCPOA restrictions [relating to ballistic missiles] end in October”, Blackman referenced the Jewish Chronicle report on British university research links to Iran.
As well as confirming an investigation, the Foreign Secretary also described the Government’s position that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons and added that his Department is taking “evolved measures” as the JCPOA’s sunset clauses arrive.
Conservative MP for Buckingham, Greg Smith echoed the Member for Harrow East’s concerns about Tehran’s hypersonic, Mach-15 missile, unveiled by the IRGC in June.
Cleverly said the UK was challenging Iran’s “dangerous and continued militarisation” with close collaboration with the E3, the United States, and partners in the region.
CFI Vice-Chairman, the Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP, asked if the Government would maintain commitments outlined in the newly-revealed 2030 Roadmap for Israel-UK bilateral relations, to work closely with Israel on the threat of Iran. Villiers questioned whether the pledge would include proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the ideologically-motivated militia responsible for terrorist activity across the Middle East and Europe.
Foreign Secretary, Rt. Hon. James Cleverly MP, acknowledged the UK’s “key” and “important” relationship with Israel in his response and added that the Government holds the “safety and security” of Israel as a bilateral priority.
