Lord Callanan (Con)

My Lords, the situation in Iran is very fast-moving, and there have been significant developments since the original Statement by the Government last Tuesday. Before moving on to the specific questions I would like to raise with the Minister, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the incredible bravery of the Iranian people who have taken to the streets day after day in protest against the cruel, barbaric and despotic regime that currently resides in Tehran. Too often, we in this country take our long-held freedoms for granted and forget that, across the world, there are fearless protesters literally risking their lives for nothing more than freedom and democracy. It is truly humbling. Those protesters face brutal treatment by their regime, and over 2,000 people have been killed, but, still, they are standing up bravely against that brutality and oppression. Against the backdrop of the appalling actions of the Iranian regime, could the Minister please update the House on the actions that the Government are taking to hold Iran to account? What further steps are Ministers considering to ensure that the Iranian regime is subject to appropriate additional sanctions? We welcome the fact that the Iranian ambassador has now been summoned. Can the Minister please confirm whether the case of Erfan Soltani was raised with him? Last night, it was reported that the British embassy in Tehran has been closed temporarily. Can the Minister update the House on the work that the embassy staff are currently undertaking to support British citizens currently still in Iran and how they will maintain that support as they move to operating remotely? How will embassy staff support Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who are currently being detained in Iran? Could we have an update on their case? We have also seen reports that the Government are withdrawing some personnel from the Al Udeid airbase in Qatar. This is the first opportunity we have had to ask questions about these decisions. Could the Minister update the House on the reasons for that decision, and when the limited withdrawal of personnel will be completed? On the actions of the US, we know that President Trump has been forthright in his public challenges to the Iranian regime. Could the Minister confirm what conversations have taken place between UK government officials and Ministers and their US counterparts? Will we work in lockstep with our American allies in giving robust response to these events in Iran? Has the Prime Minister spoken to President Trump directly to discuss our response? Finally, I reiterate our support for the protesters in Iran who are so bravely standing up for freedom and democracy, at the risk of the ultimate personal sacrifice. The behaviour of the Iranian regime is truly horrific and we support the Government in their decision to summon the ambassador. Ministers must continue to work at pace to hold the regime in Tehran to account for its brutal oppression of those brave protesters fighting for liberty and democracy.