Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on Iran's research and development of advanced centrifuges.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
On 29 May the International Atomic Energy Agency Director General issued the latest report on safeguards implementation in Iran, which includes an update on Iran’s research and development activity at the Natanz nuclear facility. The report confirms that since the Director General’s previous report, Iran has continued safeguarded research and development activities in line with its commitments under the Joint Plan of Action.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effect that Iran's possession of advanced IR-8 centrifuge would have on its nuclear break out ability.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Use of IR-8 centrifuges for enrichment could significantly shorten breakout times. However, as reported in the 29 May report from the IAEA DG Iran currently has only one prototype IR-8 machine in place, without connections, in the research and development area at the Natanz nuclear facility. Ensuring that Iran’s use of advanced centrifuges is adequately constrained remains a key element of the E3+3 negotiations currently underway.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on the construction of cross-border tunnels along the Israel-Gaza border by Hamas.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We have assessed that Hamas are seeking to rebuild infrastructure, including the tunnel network, in Gaza. An official from our Embassy in Tel Aviv held a meeting with representatives from the Israeli National Security Council on 28 May, where the issue of the construction of cross-border tunnels was discussed.
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the test-firing of rockets into the Mediterranean sea by Hamas.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We have received reports that Hamas has recently stepped up its military activities, including firing a number of rockets into the Mediterranean sea. Other militant groups in Gaza have also recently fired rockets into Israel. We strongly condemn the firing of any rockets by militant groups in Gaza.