Written question asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist) on Monday, 14 October 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 October 2019. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Monday, 28 October 2019 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iran: Foreign Relations

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called on revolutionary guards commanders to prepare themselves for “big events”; and how they intend to respond to such reports.

Answer: We are aware of these reports. We have long expressed our deep concerns about the destabilising activity of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) both within and outside Iran, including its illicit economic activity and its role in Iran’s ballistic missile development and support to militant and proscribed groups around the region. We call on Iran urgently to cease all forms of destabilising activity. As E3 leaders said in their 23 September statement, “the time has come for Iran to accept negotiation on a long-term framework for its nuclear programme as well as on the issues related to regional security, including its missile programme and other means of delivery”.

Secondary information