Tory MPs have ‘high level of concern’ about Iran deal

Conservative British MPs express strong reservations about the emerging nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 ahead of the 30th June deadline for talks.

Fifteen MPs participated in a 90-minute Westminster Hall debate on “Iran and the proposed nuclear agreement,” led by Guto Bebb, MP. Among the lawmakers who joined the debate was former defense secretary Liam Fox MP, and Nadhim Zahawi, MP, a candidate to be chairman of the influential Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

The MPs outlined a series of major concerns with the emerging deal, including the premature lifting of sanctions, insufficient verification mechanisms, the danger of time-limiting the most severe restrictions for a mere 10 years, and Iran’s retention of a uranium enrichment infrastructure far in excess of that required for a genuine peaceful civilian nuclear power program.

Emphasizing that Iran has not earned the right to be entrusted with a nuclear program, MPs pointed to Iran’s proven record of financially and materially supporting terror groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

Following the debate, Guto Bebb MP, said: “The large attendance for this morning’s debate is testament to the high level of concern among Conservative MPs at the emerging nuclear deal. Iran has not been obligated to make enough concessions over its nuclear program to sufficiently reassure the international community that it has no ambitions to develop nuclear weaponry. As the Minister said: ‘It is right that we should leave no stone unturned in the quest to reach an agreement. But we must not, and will not, do a bad deal. The stakes are too high.’”