Middle East

Nusrat Ghani Excerpts

Monday 23rd March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Order. I need to squeeze in many people, so questions need to be short, and answers just as short.

[Sir Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green) (Con)]

We can debate what the armed forces think or do not think, but I always think it best to leave them out of these debates. However, there is an issue here at home, and defence of the realm is defence at home first and foremost. We know that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened us on these shores endlessly for a number of years, and many colleagues across the House have called for it to be proscribed. As yet, in the middle of this war, we have not proscribed the IRGC, but it would make the life of our security services so much easier if we did so. Will the Secretary of State please get up and say that it is his determination that the IRGC should be proscribed and kicked out, or arrested for all the awful deeds that it does by chasing, hounding, and killing people on British shores?

--- Later in debate ---

[John Healey]

There is no use—there has been no use—of Prestwick airport for US bombing strikes.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

I call John Cooper.

[John Cooper (Dumfries and Galloway) (Con)]

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker—[Interruption.] Excuse me; I have swallowed a fly.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Ready?

[John Cooper]

I think I just about am, yes. The situation we are talking about today is a shooting war, but of key interest to us is the tug of war going on between the MOD and the Treasury over the defence investment plan. We have some indication of what is going on—I think we have gathered that it will not come out this week. Can the Secretary of State give us some indication of whether the purdah period for the upcoming elections in Scotland in May will further impact the announcement of this critical plan?

--- Later in debate ---

[John Healey]

The hon. Gentleman is almost last, but not least. I reject almost every assertion he makes in his tripartite question. The decisions we have taken and the permissions we have given have a sound legal basis. They are for defensive purposes, and are directed at Iranian sites that are attacking our interests and our allies, and that hold a threat, including to British ships and red-ensign-flagged vessels in the strait of Hormuz.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

I call Jim Shannon to ask the final question.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

While we welcome the progress of talks in the middle east, the fact that our Government have to learn updates from the news cycle is beyond disappointing. The deterioration of the relationship between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister is particularly worrying. Will the Secretary of State begin to rebuild that relationship with our American allies, and show willingness to work in the best interests of this nation? The attacks on Diego Garcia prove that this nation is under attack, and that deserves decisive action. How will the Minister secure the right action to put us back in step with our American friends, regardless of any personality clashes?