Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran about allegations of support from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp to sympathisers of the Taliban, arms smugglers and criminal gangs in Afghanistan.
House of Lords
Summer Recess 2010
Written Answers and Statements
Iran
Questions
Asked by Lord Corbett of Castle Vale
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, and with what conclusions, of Iran's political and military involvement in Afghanistan.[HL1882]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): Iran is pursuing a dangerous dual strategy in Afghanistan. While it assists the country through economic and humanitarian aid and supports the legitimate Afghan government, it also undermines Afghan security by providing finance, weapons and training to the Taliban. Iranian support for the Taliban is totally unacceptable and further undermines international and regional confidence in Iran's intentions.
Asked by Lord Corbett of Castle Vale
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran about allegations of support from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp to sympathisers of the Taliban, arms smugglers and criminal gangs in Afghanistan.[HL1883]
Lord Astor of Hever: We have serious concerns about Iranian support for the Taliban, including arms supplies, financial assistance and training. We have made clear to the government of Iran that such support is unacceptable. It further undermines international confidence in the Iranian government's intentions, and is at odds with its claim to the international community and its own people that it supports stability and security in Afghanistan. We are working with the International Security Assistance Force to interdict shipments of weapons to the Taliban, including from Iran.