Written question asked by Mike Gapes (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 1 December 1998. It was answered by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 December 1998 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, What assessment he has made of the implications for regional and international security of recent Iranian tests of long-range missiles. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Mr. Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for regional and international security of recent Iranian tests of long- range missiles. [61405] Mr. Tony Lloyd: We were extremely concerned by Iran's flight test of its Shahab 3 ballistic missile in July. Although the system is still in its development phase, its approximate range of 1300km means that the possibility of its future deployment threatens the stability of the whole of the Middle East. Whilst we understand Iran's legitimate security concerns, we have repeatedly urged the Iranian authorities to refrain from developing ballistic missiles. It is in nobody's interest for an arms race to develop in this already volatile region.

Secondary information