Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 30 April 2018, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 May 2018. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 May 2018 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iran: Nuclear Weapons

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of the United States about maintenance of the nuclear weapons agreement with Iran.

Answer

The Government regrets the decision of the US Administration to withdraw from the JCPoA and re-impose American sanctions on Iran. We did our utmost to prevent this outcome; from the moment that President Trump's Administration took office, we made the case for keeping the JCPoA at every level. The UK worked very closely with France, Germany and US counterparts to find a way forward to address President Trump's concerns, involving months of intense discussions to secure US commitment to the deal, but without reopening the terms of the agreement. Earlier this month, the Foreign Secretary travelled to Washington and repeated the UK's support for the nuclear agreement in meetings with Secretary Pompeo, Vice-President Pence and National Security Adviser Bolton. The Prime Minister spoke with President Trump by telephone several times, including on Saturday 5 May.

We now urge the US to preserve the gains that the Iran nuclear deal has brought, avoiding actions that would prevent the remaining parties from meeting their commitments to upholding the agreement. We await more detail from the US following President Trump's promise to find a lasting solution to the Iran nuclear threat.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL7382
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Nuclear weapons USA Iran
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk