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Prevention of Nuclear Proliferation

It is important that we continue the twin-track approach—of engagement and challenge—that the Government have set out and which the previous Government also followed. The November IAEA report documents Iran's failure to co-operate fully with the agency and the possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme. The IAEA reports on Iran's programme on a quarterly basis, but the November report set out its concerns in the strongest terms to date. It states that information available to the IAEA indicates that Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device. The report notes that"““while some of the activities identified have civilian as well as military applications, others are specific to nuclear weapons””." The Government view these developments with the utmost concern. In response to the November IAEA report, its board of governors issued a resolution expressing ““deep and increasing concern”” about the possible military dimensions of the Iranian nuclear programme. The board urged Iran to abide by its international obligations and called on it to engage seriously on the nuclear issue. These concerns are of the most serious nature and have far-reaching consequences for the UK's interests and those of the region. Some 32 of the 35 countries on the board of governors supported the resolution.