Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he make an assessment of the effectiveness of paragraph 8 of UN Security Council Resolution 598 in relation to consultations with Iran on current disputes.

Dr Andrew Murrison, Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office: We assess that ongoing dialogue with all Middle East countries and partners remains critical for protecting security and stability in the region. We welcome any measures that serve to improve that dialogue and reduce tensions. We are concerned by the general risks of unintended escalation, which would not be in any party’s interests. We are in touch with our key partners and advising Iran not to take any escalatory steps.

Hansard

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