VIDEO: Urgent Question on Iran

Today I asked an urgent question in Parliament, about the military build-up in the Strait of Hormuz.

As I said to the Foreign Secretary, Iran is at crisis-point. It is the new Soviet Union of the Middle East. It supports terrorism, undermines democracy, and is trying to stop the Arab Spring in Syria.

But now we are threatened by an Iranian nuclear bomb, which risks the security of the Gulf States, Israel, and the whole region. Two weeks ago, Iran admitted it has begun enriching high-grade uranium.

The regime now threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz - which represents more than 20 per cent of internationally traded oil.

The UK Government could not have done more to try to contain this problem - with unprecedented action to isolate Iran’s financial sector, and the extra EU sanctions imposed this week by the Foreign Secretary. But the question must now be asked - are we facing the prospect of a nuclear dictatorship in the Middle East?

Today I asked the Foreign Secretary: "Will my Right Honourable Friend set out to the House what military action Britain is planning in the Strait? Will he explain what will happen, if these latest economic sanctions don’t work? And what more is being done to bring Russia and China to the UN table?"

Most would accept that Britain has shouldered its fair burden in tackling dictators. But it seems clear that the free world must send a message to Iran, that if they continue with their nuclear plans it will lead to military action.

No one wants war. But tragically, it is looking increasingly possible.

As The Times said today: “One of the greatest civilisations in history has been superseded for a generation by an extremist regime perpetrating repression at home and aggression beyond its borders.”

To see the Foreign Secretary's reply, watch the VIDEO above.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com