Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Janner of Braunstone (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 20 October 2008.

Iran: Uranium Enrichment

Question: My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his response. Does he agree that we should have deep alarm at Iran’s ongoing enrichment of uranium, against the will of the international community, especially as there have been further increases in that enrichment capacity and a continuing failure by Iran to provide acceptable reasons for that activity? Does he agree that current sanctions are clearly not working, because Iran has been able to trade with other countries in the region? Does he recognise that sanctions are not having the required effect and must be extended to enforce Iran’s co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency?

Answer: My Lords, my noble friend is quite correct to express alarm; I share it with him. The IAEA’s most recent report in September reported a continuing pattern of non-co-operation with, and non-disclosure of the enrichment programme to, that agency. That left us to speculate on exactly how far advanced that programme is, but the core point is correct—we do not have the co-operation we would expect. However, sanctions are taking their toll on Iran. They are isolating the country, which ran last week to the Security Council and failed dismally, they have restricted Iran’s ability to source nuclear parts and financial restrictions are having a very severe effect on its economy.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 704 c938
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: International Atomic Energy Agency Nuclear fuels Nuclear power Sanctions Iran
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk