Catherine McKinnell MP House of Commons London
SW1A 0AA
Dear Catherine,
The Rt Hon. James Cleverly MP Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
Tel: 0207 008 5000
Email:
fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk www.gov.uk/fcdo
Our ref: MC2021/16989 Your ref: CM39424
16 July 2021
Thank you for your letter of 27 June on behalf of your constituent, Dr Mohammad Farsi of 8 Warcop Court, Kingston Lodge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2TA about the elections in Iran. I am replying as the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
We call on newly elected Ebrahim Raisi to set Iran on a different course. He must commit to improving human rights in Iran and to releasing British nationals arbitrarily detained there. Iran must also address concerns about its nuclear programme and put an end to destabilising actions in the region.
With regards to recognition of President-Elect Raisi, the UK recognises States, not Governments, and choosing Iran’s government is a matter solely for the Iranian people. We are in regular contact with the Iranian Government and expect to engage with President-elect Raisi on a number of issues when he takes office.
Yours ever,
The Rt Hon. James Cleverly MP
Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa
