Iran – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Leeds asks about addressing future risks presented by Israel-Iran conflict

The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on addressing the risk of future terrorism as a result of the trauma of the current conflict in the Middle-East on 24th June 2025, following a government statement on the Israel-Iran conflict:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I am grateful for the Statement and the commitments the Government are making, but history teaches us that you cannot bomb an idea or a resentment out of existence. Going back to the comments made by the noble Lord, Lord Purvis, about the difference between strategy and tactics, what scenario planning are the Government doing to address the next three or four generations of terrorists who are being born amid the traumas of the current violence?

Bishop of Norwich asks about response to Israel-Iran conflict

The Bishop of Norwich asked a question on ensuring respect for international norms of armed conflict and humanitarian law on 19th June 2025, in response to a Government statement on the Iran-Israel conflict:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, those on these Benches join others in calling for Iran and Israel to draw back from war, especially the killing of civilians, and, as His Majesty’s Government have rightly said, prioritise restraint, diplomacy and dialogue. The noble Lord, Lord Purvis, rightly raised the fact that the conflict with Iran threatens to overshadow and move the focus away from the conflict in Gaza, and I am reassured by the Minister’s response to that. In both conflicts, though, civilians have been and are being targeted. What actions are His Majesty’s Government taking to ensure that internationally accepted norms of armed conflict are being respected, as well as the norms of humanitarian law?

Bishop of Southwark asks about government policy towards Israel and Palestine

The Bishop of Southwark asked a question on efforts to recognise Palestinian statehood and the issue of trade with illegal settlements in Israel on 16th June 2025, following a government statement on the conflict in the Middle East:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I pray for wise judgment and a swift end to the current conflict between Israel and Iran. I pray for restraint and for the safety and well-being of Jewish people, here and around the world. I support the steps that have been made to protect British nationals and I am appalled by the attacks on civilians, wherever they occur.

Bishop of St Albans speaks in debate on British citizens held by Iranian regime

The Bishop of St Albans spoke in the Bishop of Chelmsford’s debate on British citizens currently being held by the Iranian regime, urging that the UK act to support those detained and stand up for human rights overseas:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I thank my right reverend friend the Bishop of Chelmsford for tabling this debate and for the sensitive way in which she has introduced it. I add to hers my best wishes and prayers for the Foremans, their family and friends, and my thanks to the Minister and all those officials who are working so hard behind the scenes in the FCDO. I also extend my thanks to the ambassador in Tehran and to all those working at the embassy there. I am sure they are doing all they can to resolve this desperately sad situation.

Bishop of Chelmsford leads debate on British citizens held by Iran

The Bishop of Chelmsford led a debate on government progress in reducing the number of British citizens held by the Iranian regime on 27th February 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they are making to reduce the number of British citizens being held by the Iranian regime.

My Lords, I am grateful that time has been allocated to this debate and I look forward to the range of contributions, as well as to the Minister’s response.

I declare my personal interest in the subject. I come originally from Iran; I was born in the beautiful and historic city of Isfahan and I left as a teenager, with my family, following the impact of the Islamic revolution on the small Anglican Church community of which we were a part and, in particular, the attempt on my father’s life and the murder of my 24 year-old brother.

As I have said before in this Chamber, none of this has left me with ill will towards my homeland, but rather a profound sense of sadness at its current plight. I retain a deep love for Iran, its beauty and ancient civilization, and I have great respect for my fellow countryfolk, many of whom suffer in an increasingly intolerable situation or find themselves part of the growing diaspora community. I still hope one day to travel back to Iran, but for now this is not possible because of the current regime.

Bishop of St Albans asks about capital punishment in Iran

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 12th February 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they intend to make to the government of Iran concerning the execution sentences of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani.

Bishop of St Albans asks about status of political prisoner in Iran

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 23rd January 2025:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what representations, if any, they intend to make to the government of Iran concerning the execution sentence of Pakhshan Azizi.

Bishop of St Albans asks about persecution against Baha’is in Iran

The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 23rd May 2024:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Human Rights Watch report “The Boot on my Neck”: Iranian Authorities’ Crime of Persecution Against Baha’is in Iran, published on 1 April.

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about links between Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hamas

The Bishop of Chelmsford asked a question on links between the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard and groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah during a discussion on the status of the IRGC and whether it should be designated a terrorist organisation on 29th November 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: My Lords, it is clear that the Iranian regime does support groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, including via the IRGC. The Minister will have heard the strength of feeling in this House. However, US officials have confirmed reports that Iran did not have prior notice of Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October. What assessment has been made of the true extent of the links between the IRGC and Hamas, and what recent conversations have the UK Government had with Iran to chart a course towards peace in the region?

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about routes to the UK for persecuted Christians in Iran

The Bishop of Chelmsford asked a question on whether the government would consider providing a safe route scheme for those persecuted on account of their faith in Iran on 23rd May 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: My Lords, in a recently published joint annual report by Article 18 and other Christian organisations, the IRGC’s increasing involvement in the crackdown against peaceful Christian activities in Iran was highlighted for the second year in a row. Other religious minorities and peaceful protesters also report violent treatment during arrest and detention, as well as the interference of the IRGC’s intelligence branch in court proceedings to ensure harsher sentences against those who are accused. I absolutely agree with the noble Lords who are pressing for proscription, but given all of this, does the Minister agree that we can and should do more, beyond proscription of the IRGC? Will the Government consider offering a safe route scheme for those from Iran who have suffered persecution in the form of arrest and imprisonment on account of their faith?

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