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Iran

Answer

The proliferation of nuclear weapons in the middle east would pose a serious threat to the region's stability and security.We remain deeply concerned by Iran's nuclear programme. Iran has not met the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors and the UN Security Council, including the requirement that it should suspend all uranium enrichment related and reprocessing activities. This is essential to build confidence that the intentions of Iran's nuclear programme are exclusively peaceful.We remain committed to a negotiated solution, and regret that Iran has not taken the steps that would enable negotiations to begin on the basis of the proposals presented in June by Javier Solana on behalf of the E3+3 (UK, France, Germany + US, Russia, China). These proposals would form the basis of a long term agreement: they offer Iran everything it needs to develop a modern civil nuclear power industry in return for restoring international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme.We are determined that Iran should comply fully with its obligations. E3+3 Foreign Ministers met in London on 6 October and agreed that Iran's failure to comply with Security Council Resolution 1696, and take the steps that would enable a return to negotiations, leaves no option but to seek a new Security Council Resolution adopting measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter. We are now discussing a draft with other members of the Security Council.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

451 c1193W;451 c1195W; 99287

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Nuclear power Iran

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk