Written question asked by Matthew Offord (Conservative) on Thursday, 22 September 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 October 2022. It was answered by Gillian Keegan (Conservative) on Friday, 14 October 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Iran: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of Iran signing a memorandum to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation; and whether this will have an impact on economic sanctions.

Answer: The UK Government is aware that Iran has signed a memorandum to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and is committed to continuing to work with the international community to ensure Iran abides by international laws and norms and is held to account for its destabilising activities. The UK has over 200 sanctions designations in place against Iran including in relation to human rights, nuclear proliferation and terrorism. This includes sanctions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in its entirety. The FCDO works closely with the relevant cross government enforcement bodies to ensure the robust implementation of sanctions.

Secondary information