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Written question asked by Stephen Crabb (Conservative) on Thursday, 29 June 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 July 2023. It was answered by Nigel Huddleston (Conservative) on Friday, 7 July 2023 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Iran: Unmanned Air Systems

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of compliance with (a) sanctions and (b) restrictions on exports of the research being undertaken at universities with Iranian scientists on drone technology.

Answer

The Government takes all credible allegations of breaches of sanctions and export controls seriously, and the enforcement agencies will take further action if appropriate. The UK has a number of sanctions in place against Iran including against Iranian UAV manufacturers and related military individuals and executives.

Officials in my department have been leading a review of the allegations made in the recent press articles. They are working at pace with others in the Ministry of Defence, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) to establish the facts and assess if any export controls (Military, Dual-Use, UK National) or relevant sanctions regulations may have been contravened.

The outcome of this review will determine what further action may be needed. If there has been a potential breach of the sanctions or export controls, HMRC and/or OFSI will consider appropriate enforcement action.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
191752
Session
2022-23
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Export controls Higher education Research Sanctions Iran Unmanned air systems
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk