LONDON – The UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, James Cleverly, reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to assessing the implications of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) activities in the Middle East and across the globe. Speaking in the House of Commons, Cleverly emphasized that the UK regularly evaluates the impact of the IRGC’s destabilizing actions on British interests and citizens.
Collaboration with international partners plays a crucial role in deterring these destabilizing activities, Cleverly noted. The UK actively works with allies to interdict Iranian weapons in the Gulf and combat weapons proliferation in Russia. In its efforts, the UK has imposed sanctions on the IRGC in its entirety.
During the session, Member of Parliament Bob Blackman raised concerns about the Iranian regime’s claims of possessing hypersonic missiles capable of reaching targets in neighboring countries within a very short period. He also highlighted the impending end of restrictions outlined in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in October. Blackman further suggested that British universities might be involved in research leading to drones attacking Ukrainian positions from Russia. In response, Cleverly assured that investigations were underway to ascertain the validity of these reports. He assured that the UK remains steadfast in its commitment to preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear weapons state, considering evolving measures as the sunset clauses in the JCPOA approach.
MP Andrew Gwynne expressed concerns about Iranian state-based actors in the UK, particularly their threats towards Iranian activists who have sought refuge from persecution. Cleverly emphasized the UK’s ongoing engagement with Iran’s regional behavior and assured that the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office maintains close collaboration with the Home Office to coordinate defense and international actions concerning threats to British nationals and individuals residing in the UK.
The UK government remains committed to closely monitoring the IRGC’s activities and working with international partners to address their destabilizing impact, as well as ensuring the safety of British citizens at home and abroad, the UK Foreign Secretary asserted.
