Conservative Friends of Israel

Supporting Israel and Promoting Conservatism

Campaigns

The Iranian Threat

The Iranian regimes’ determination to acquire nuclear weapons capability and commitment to supporting and exporting terrorism, including Hezbollah, poses a severe threat to international peace and security. The Iranian President’s declarations that “Israel should be wiped off the map” and his denial of the Holocaust are tantamount to inciting genocide under the Genocide Convention 1951.

CFI campaign hard on the Iranian threat in Parliament, and Conservative MPs continue to speak of the threat posed by its arming of terrorist organisations and continuing nuclear programme. Iran's appaling human rights record is an additional issue of major concern.

The Conservative-led Government has taken a strong approach to Iran, pursuing an increased sanctions regime and pushing for direct dialogue. The Government was highly supportive of the latest round of UN sanctions adopted in June 2010, and played a leading role in the introduction of additional EU sanctions. Britain also took part in the E3+3 discussions with Iran in early 2011, during which Foreign Secretary Hague reiterated the need for Iran to cease uranium enrichment.  

In March 2011, the IAEA published an alarming report on Iran's on-going failure to cooperate with inspectors, prompting Foreign Secretary William Hague to express "deep concern".
 
"The latest IAEA report provides further evidence for the international community’s deep concerns about the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.

The report comprehensively outlines the many areas where Iran is failing to comply with its international obligations. Iran continues to enrich uranium in defiance of numerous UN Security Council and IAEA Board Resolutions, and has consistently failed to answer questions about possible military dimensions of its programme. The Director General is also clear that the agency’s knowledge of Iranian enrichment activities is diminishing – and he therefore cannot confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is "in peaceful uses”.

This needs to change. Iran should not think that recent events in the Middle East have distracted the world’s attention away from its nuclear programme. The pressure on Iran will continue to grow until the country alters its current stance". Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon William Hague MP, 9 March 2011
 
Iran's extensive efforts to arm terrorist organisations was starkly highlighted in March 2011 when British and Afghan forces intercepted a Taliban-bound shipment of advanced Iranian-made missiles near the Iranian-Pakistan border.
 
“I am extremely concerned by the latest evidence that Iran continues to supply the Taleban with weaponry – weapons clearly intended to provide the Taleban with the capability to kill Afghan and ISAF soldiers from significant range. The detailed technical analysis, together with the circumstances of the seizure, leave us in no doubt that the weaponry recovered came from Iran. This is completely unacceptable. It is not the behaviour of a responsible neighbour. It is at odds with Iran’s claim to the international community and to its own people that it supports stability and security in Afghanistan. My Ambassador in Tehran raised this with the Iranian MFA earlier today. I call on Iran to act in the interests of a stable and secure region”. Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon William Hague MP, 9 March 2011