Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Monday, 14 June 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 June 2010. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 June 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iran: Sanctions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps at the United Nations he (a) has taken since his appointment and (b) plans to take in the next six months in response to allegations of (i) arming and (ii) funding by Iran of Hamas; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Iranian support in the form of arming and funding of Hamas, and other Palestinian Rejectionist Groups, is unacceptable. It undermines international confidence in the Iranian regime's intentions, and is at odds with the regime's claim to the international community that it supports stability in the Middle East.Hamas continue to pursue an ideology of violence and directly undermine prospects for peace in the region. We call on them to take immediate and concrete steps towards the Quartet principles.A number of issues related to the Middle East are discussed on a monthly basis at the UN. The UK will continue to push for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1860 which aims to prevent the illicit trafficking of arms into Gaza. We will continue giving our full support to the UN Sanctions Committee in pursuing and investigating sanctions violations.

Secondary information