Written question asked by Viscount Waverley (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Malloch-Brown (Labour) on Monday, 14 July 2008.

Iran: Nuclear Facilities

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment they have made of the extent of any retaliation by Iran to an attack on their nuclear facilities.

Answer: The Government of Iran and Iranian authorities have stated publicly on several occasions that they would retaliate to any attack. We regularly consider the implications of such statements, including assessing feasibility and likelihood of a variety of potential Iranian responses to any attack, and the implications for UK interests. We have, of course, made clear that we are fully committed to finding a diplomatic resolution to the international community's serious concerns about the behaviour of the Government of Iran, including its pursuit of a uranium enrichment programme in defiance of four UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs). The Government will continue to act in the UN, the EU and bilaterally to persuade Iran to comply with the demands of successive UNSCRs, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community.

Secondary information