The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)

My Lords, I begin by echoing the words of both Front Benches about the bravery and courage of those who are taking to the streets at considerable risk to themselves. They are risking their lives and, we know in many cases so far, sacrificing their lives because they wish to live in freedom. They have every right to express that through protest, as they are, and it is met with dismay and shock. At the moment, it is estimated that there are around 2,000 dead, and around 10,000 being detained. It is expected that, when more is known when communications become more possible, those numbers may well increase. The UK has made statements alongside France and Germany and others. We stay closely in contact with the US and other allies and partners. We have withdrawn UK-based embassy staff for obvious reasons, and this inevitably considerably limits the consular assistance that we are able to provide to UK nationals. We have advised for some time against all travel to Iran, and the assistance that we will be able to provide should anybody there get into difficulty or need support is incredibly limited. We advise those there to make plans to leave. It is very difficult, particularly if they wish to leave over land, because we advise against all travel to many of the neighbouring regions. I was asked about personnel in Qatar. I do not know the answer to that. I can find out, and I am very happy to update the House on that, should that be appropriate. On sanctions, we are actively considering what next steps we need to take. Noble Lords will notice the difference between that comment from the one they usually receive, but I am unable to say any more about that. We are considering proscription-like measures in respect of the IRGC. As noble Lords will know, Jonathan Hall has recently reviewed this. I am advised that there is a need to make amendments to the legal framework that is available because the legislation is currently not designed to deal with state-backed entities. I hinted at that the other day, and I think it is important to be clear about where we are on that. On wider travel advice, we encourage people to monitor constantly the advice on the FCDO website, because there is every chance that it may well be revised. Those decisions are taken quickly, and the information is almost instantly available to the public. The future vision for Iran is an important question. Our vision is entirely centred on the fact that it is for the people of Iran to make their own choice about how they wish to be governed. That is not something that they have at the moment. It is not for the United Kingdom to say what the Government of Iran ought to comprise and who that ought to be. I am sure that different people in this House will have very strongly held views about that, but from the Government’s perspective our principle that will guide us is that it is for the people of Iran to make that choice.