Iran
This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on Iran. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.
Standard Notes
| 03.06.2013 | Obama and Iran's 2013 elections: The role of presidents in the nuclear crisis |
| Iran's presidential election, due on 14 june, is unlikely to change Iranian policy over nuclear enrichment. |
| 01.06.2012 | Iran: could there be a compromise? |
| For the first time since January 2011, the negotiating group that deals with Iran's nuclear programme is in talks with Iranian representatives. Whether or not this is a result of increased economic pressure and a growing threat of military action, there has been some speculation that this times the talks may be serious and that there is a prospect of a compromise. |
| 15.03.2012 | Is it legal to use force against Iran? |
| The answer to this question depends largely on your view of whether Iran is about to use nuclear weapons. |
| 15.02.2012 | Is Iran building a nuclear weapon? |
| Iran's nuclear programme remains at the top of the international agenda. Many commentators think that Iran has not made a decision to build a nuclear weapon, but that Iran may want to be at the threshold, with the technical ability and materials to build a weapon fairly quickly if the decision were to be made. |
| 19.01.2012 | Oil embargo on Iran and the threat to the Straits of Hormuz |
| EU countries are preparing to impose a new round of sanctions on Iran, to include an embargo on the import of oil. The US has also enacted new legislation which will target the Iranian central bank and make oil trading more difficult for Iran. Iran has responded with some threatening comments about closing the Straits of Hormuz, leading to a rise in the oil price. It has also signalled that it is open to re-starting talks. This note details these developments and gives some samples of recent expert commentary. |
Research Papers
| 15.11.2011 | The Arab Uprisings |
| Since December 2010, the most profound process of change has affected the countries of the Arab world. The change spread quickly between the countries of the region, underlining the many common factors that provoked unrest. How the region's revolutions progress, however, depends on the individual characteristics of each country, which are very different. This paper looks at these similarities and differences and considers the possible outcomes in each case. The legitimacy of ruling regimes, the effect of societies' divisions along confessional lines and the role of the region's militaries are considered. |
| 11.12.2009 | The Islamic Republic of Iran: An introduction |
| This paper provides an introduction to the Islamic Republic of Iran; its politics, economy, foreign and defence policies, and nuclear programme. It examines the governmental structure of the theocratic state, analyses the key personalities and forums of decision-making and assesses Iran's policies at home and abroad. |
Early Day Motions
| 24.01.2012 | DIALOGUE WITH IRAN |
| That this House is deeply concerned at the prospect of war with Iran; is appalled at the naval military build-up in the Persian Gulf and the danger that this may spark a conflict with ... |
| 17.01.2012 | CAN YOU SOLVE THIS - CAMPAIGN ON IRANIAN STUDENTS |
| That this House notes the Can You Solve This campaign launched by students at 26 university campuses across the UK to date; further notes this campaign highlights the plight of Iranian ... |
| 12.01.2012 | IRANIAN DIPLOMATIC DEFECTIONS |
| That this House notes that several senior diplomats have defected from the Iranian foreign service in revulsion at the actions of the Tehran regime; further notes that in so doing they ... |
| 11.01.2012 | HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN (No. 2) |
| That this House is concerned by the practice of execution by stoning in Iran; notes that stoning is a particularly repugnant and cruel form of execution; is concerned that stoning is ... |
| 08.12.2011 | IRANIAN TRADE UNIONISTS |
| That this House is alarmed at the re-arrest of Ebrahim Madodi from the Vahed Trade Union Syndicate in Tehran; calls for his release and that of fellow trade unionist, bus workers' leader, ... |
