Government hopes Iranian sanctions will deter it from ‘destabilising’ region

The Government has said it hopes its introduction of further sanctions against Iran last week will stop it destabilising the Middle East and arming Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Foreign Office minster Stephen Doughty, who has a responsibility for sanctions, said that Iran was one of Russia’s foremost military backers and referred to its drone attack on Israel in April, and its connection to the Hezbollah attacks on Israel.

Mr Doughty (Lab, Cardiff South and Penarth) also pointed to its wider connection to Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and other groups.

Introducing parliamentary legislation for the sanctions in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, he said: “This instrument contains measures to deter the Government of Iran from causing regional and international stability by disrupting its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missile industries, and its access to items that are critical for military development.”

He added: “The Iranian regime’s development and proliferation of large volumes of advanced conventional weapons, including UAVs and missiles, continues to destabilise the Middle East and also prolongs Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.

“Iran’s use of an unprecedented number of UAVs and missiles during their attack on Israel on April 13 demonstrated how Iranian weapon development and proliferation is fuelling conflict and escalation in the Middle East and indeed, the Iranian regime also used hundreds of these arms in their attack against Israel on October 1, which we condemn in the strongest terms.”

Members of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, Iran’s air force and the IRGC Intelligence Organisation have been targeted with travel bans and asset freezes.

Farzanegan Propulsion Systems Design Bureau (FPSDB), which designs and manufactures parts that can be used in cruise missiles, has also been designated as part of the package of measures.

The Iranian Space Agency, which develops technologies that have applications in ballistic missile development, will be subject to an asset freeze.

Mr Doughty went on to tell the Commons that the Government was banning the export, supply and delivery of any items that Iran could use for its weapons industry.

There were concerns that exports of banned items could increase to Iran’s neighbours in response to the sanctions, as an indirect way of them finding their way into Tehran’s hands.

Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord (Honiton and Sidmouth) asked “whether the Government will continue to monitor the export of some of the goods that we’re talking about… in particular the export of those goods to states that neighbour Iran.”

In response Mr Doughty said circumvention is a “key priority” for the Government.

Shadow foreign minister Alicia Kearns (Con, Rutland and Stamford) said the party supported the sanctions.

She said: “These sanctions seek to address issues emblematic of a far larger threat.

“The Government should be in no doubt, Iran’s malign influence is one of the biggest challenges to both global and British security.

“Iran has for decades deliberately undermined the rules-based international order, destabilising their neighbourhood and funding terrorism, all while brutally repressing its own people and committing a femicide.”

Ms Kearns added there had been about 15 Iranian plots to assassinate British or UK-based individuals on UK soil since 2022.

The debate also heard from the Liberal Democrats, who support the sanctions, that 500 people were executed in Iran after protests in 2022.

Meanwhile Sir John Whittingdale (Con, Maldon) said Iran is 176 out of 180 in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index.

Ms Kearns, along with her Conservative Party colleague Sir Gavin Williamson (Con, Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge) also called for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to be proscribed.

Sir Gavin said: “Would he accept that a key component of that destabilisation that you can see being sponsored by the Iranian regime is done by the IRGC.

“I wondered if he would be able to update the house as to whether the Government’s thinking was in terms or proscribing this organisation, which I think he would find many allies across the house who would be keen to see that happen.”

Mr Doughty said: “We, of course, recognise the huge threat that the IRGC poses and we will take the necessary measures to counter it at home and around the world.

“He will understand the Government keeps the list of proscribed terrorist organisations under careful review and we do not, of course, comment in the house on whether an organisation may be under consideration.”