Dr Charles Tannock MEP, Conservative Foreign Affairs Spokesman, questioned the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, who refused to condemn or explain why Iranian jihadis are fighting alongside terrorists in Iraq, killing British soldiers, and why Iran's judges routinely pass death sentences on homosexuals and teenagers.
Following the exchange in the European Parliament, Dr Tannock said:
"If the Iranian regime is unable or unwilling to answer legitimate questions about its intentions, we are entitled to fear the worst and act accordingly. We in Europe know from bitter experience the folly of appeasing tyrants in the naive belief that constructive engagement will eventually bear fruit.
"Why is Iran pressing ahead with uranium enrichment when it has no operational nuclear power stations or even plans to build them? Why is Iran developing Shahab-3 missiles with the potential to carry nuclear warheads and drop them on European cities?
"I sincerely hope for all our sakes, but particularly for the sake of the oppressed Iranian people, that the mullahs will change course. But our message must be clear and uncompromising – Iran will not be allowed by the international community to arm itself with nuclear weapons."
ENDS
Contact: Charles Tannock MEP, tel: +32 (0) 2 28 45870 charles.tannock@europarl.europa.eu;
Peter Wilding - Conservative Press Office - tel: +32 (0) 473 861762, peter.wilding@europarl.europa.eu