Written question asked by David Cairns (Labour) on Friday, 25 February 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 1 March 2011. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Friday, 4 March 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iran: Sanctions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) his Israeli counterpart and (b) his EU counterparts on (i) Iran's conventional military capabilities and (ii) the effectiveness of the sanctions regime against Iran.

Answer: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary regularly discusses Iran's nuclear programme and the effectiveness of sanctions against Iran with his Israeli and EU counterparts. Our officials also have regular discussions with Israeli and EU counterparts on Iran's armed forces.These discussions are informed by the regular reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which continue to highlight continued Iranian non-compliance with its obligations. International sanctions, including those adopted by the UN and the EU, show the strength of international concern about Iran's nuclear programme. It is clear that these sanctions are having an impact. Iran is finding it increasingly difficult to acquire goods of proliferation concern and is also finding it harder to access international finance. But, following Iranian behaviour at the latest round of EU3+3 talks in Istanbul, it is also clear that the pressure on Iran needs to increase.

Secondary information