Foreign Secretary makes statement on Iran: joint comprehensive plan of action

Tensions have continued to rise between the United States and Iran, following the death of General Qasem Soleimani.

Speaking on the Iran Nuclear Agreement, also know as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPOA), the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Dominic Raab said:

"The strategic aim for the UK and our international partners remains as it has always been - to de-escalate tensions, to hold Iran to account for it's nefarious activities, and to keep the diplomatic door open for the regime to negotiate a peaceful way forwards."

"Iran's destabilising activities should serve as a reminder to all of us of the danger for the region and to the world if Iran were ever to acquire a nuclear weapon. We cannot let that happen. And with that in mind, today the ethery consisting of the United Kingdom, France and Germany, have jointly taken action to hold Iran to account for it's systematic non-compliance with the JCPOA."

Responding on behalf of the Opposition, Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry expressed that she agreed with holding Iran to account for not complying with the JCPOA.

The Shadow Foreign Secretary said:

"For all of us who regard the Iranian Nuclear deal as one of the crowning diplomatic achievements of this century, and a path towards progress with Iran on other issues of concern, it is deeply destressing to see Iran join the United States in openly floating it's terms as the Foreign Secretary has described. So I firmly agree with the action that has been taken today alongside out European partners."

She also expressed uncertainty about the Prime Minister's recent remarks on BBC Breakfast in regards to the JCPOA.