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Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 11 March 2026

Debate

Middle East: Defence

Contribution

My Lords, in reflecting on what the Minister and the Statement said, that Iran has lashed out with “dangerous, indiscriminate and reckless strikes”, which is clearly an accurate description, I join the Front Benches and others in offering thanks to the British service personnel who are seeking to protect threatened communities, ships and other sites. At the same time, we are seeing extensive and extremely heavy strikes by America on Iran, particularly in built-up areas. The Mines Advisory Group says that when explosive weapons are used in populated areas, 90% of the casualties are civilians. That results not only in physical trauma but a great deal of mental trauma. Today, a report has come out about the Minab elementary school where 175 mostly small children were killed by a Tomahawk strike which it now appears came from the US. Are the Government speaking to the US about minimising civilian damage and following international law, particularly in view of the fact that many of the civilians under these strikes will be those who have been seeking to overturn the Iranian regime?

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