Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 12
12
The Iranian people are the victims of the poor choices made by the Iranian state,...
Conclusion
The Iranian people are the victims of the poor choices made by the Iranian state, yet they are too often a secondary consideration. The UK’s strategy going forward should rebalance this oversight. For the UK-Iran relationship to be meaningful and mutually beneficial, the UK must invest in strengthening cultural ties, fostering exchanges, and building upon common values shared with the Iranian people. (Paragraph 46) No prosperity without justice: the UK’s relationship with Iran 29
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We agree with the Committee that enhancing cultural and other people-to-people ties between the UK and Iran would be of mutual benefit. We have consistently supported such exchanges. The UK has not erected any barriers to such exchanges taking place. We deeply regret Iran’s unjustifiable criminalisation of cooperation with the British Council. The Government continues to provide support and advice to the Council, and defends it repeatedly at the highest levels in Iran.