Bishop of Chelmsford asks about US military actions in Iran

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 18th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government:

  • what steps they are taking to prioritise the safety of UK nationals, diplomats and military personnel in the Middle East, including their safe passage out of the region. Hansard
  • what steps they are taking to work with regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and Turkey, to encourage the United States of America and Iran to find a diplomatic solution to war. Hansard
  • what assessment they have made of the diplomatic progress made in the negotiations between the United States of America and Iran before the start of US military action against Iran. Hansard
  • what assessment they have made of the compliance of military action by the United States of America against Iran with Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. Hansard
  • what representations they have made to the government of the United States about the limitations and risks of military action in Iran. Hansard
  • what assessment they have made of the impact of military action by the United States against Iran on the level of military assistance to Ukraine. Hansard
  • what is their  response to civilian casualties in Iran caused by the military action by the United States and Israel; and what steps they are taking to support Iranian people by providing aid and continued access to information channels. Hansard
  • what assessment they have made of the potential for an increase in refugees from Iran; and what steps they are taking to establish safe and legal routes, and humanitarian assistance, to those seeking to leave Iran. Hansard

Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab, FCDO): I refer the Lord Bishop to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he addressed all these questions in detail. It is for the United States or any other foreign government to demonstrate the compliance of its own actions with the UN Charter, not for the UK.