Petition Sever UK-Iran ties, withdraw recognition of Iran’s regime & expel all diplomats

For decades, Iran’s behaviour across the region has caused instability, fear and suffering. Its nuclear programme remains of significant concern. The regime has used violence to suppress the Iranian people and also pursued activities that endanger peace beyond its border.

In the UK, a number of Iran-backed plots have been disrupted over the past year. We are clear about the seriousness of the domestic threat and are taking the necessary actions to counter it. Iran’s ongoing reckless attacks on countries in the region are unacceptable, and we condemn them in the strongest terms. We have been clear to Iran: it must put an end to these activities.

The petition calls for the UK to sever ties, withdraw recognition and expel Iran’s diplomats. We understand why people might support these steps. However, the Government’s responsibility is to protect British lives and interests while working for a safer and more stable Middle East.
Our priorities remain: preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon; supporting regional stability and protecting UK economic and security interests; protecting the UK against state threats from Iran; providing support for British Nationals; and preventing the regime from using violence to suppress its people.

We believe that maintaining our diplomatic relations, and the ability to apply firm and coordinated pressure on Iran, is essential to pursuing these objectives. Our relationship allows us to deliver clear messages directly to the regime. We still believe that a negotiated outcome is the best way to address the nuclear issue and reduce wider regional risks. Keeping channels open preserves important diplomatic leverage. Cutting ties would narrow the options available to us.

This also applies in the context of the current conflict. The UK has not been involved in the strikes on Iran. We have taken the decision to accept the US request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, thereby helping to prevent attacks that could kill innocent civilians, put British lives at risk and hit countries that have not been involved. We urge Iran to urgently choose a different course, cease its reckless attacks, and demonstrate willingness to reengage in a diplomatic process. The Government will continue to press for diplomacy.

Iran currently poses an unacceptable level of threat to people in the UK. These threats stem from the activities of the Iranian Intelligence Services, including of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Ministry of Intelligence and Security, and the criminal proxies and enablers they use to carry out their work. Maintaining diplomatic relations enables us to deliver robust messaging directly to the regime to stress that this behaviour is unacceptable.

Consular support and crisis response rely on having channels of communication. Withdrawing recognition and expelling diplomats would severely limit our ability to assist British nationals in Iran or respond to urgent issues affecting their safety. Even when relations are strained, having a channel to demand access, raise concerns and work with partners can be critical. Ending diplomatic ties would weaken our ability to support British nationals in Iran and advocate for those at risk.

The UK condemned Iran’s deliberate and appalling use of violence and brutal killing of protestors, arbitrary detention, and the use of intimidation tactics by security forces against demonstrators. We have demanded the Iranian authorities respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of their citizens.

Maintaining diplomatic relations strengthens the UK’s ability to hold Iran to account for its treatment of its people. It enables direct and unambiguous communication with those in power, allows the UK to raise concerns about the treatment of protesters and minorities, and supports coordinated pressure with international partners. Our actions at the UN Human Rights Council in January to highlight these abuses – together with the targeted sanctions imposed on 2 February on those responsible for human rights violations – carries greater weight when we are able to engage directly with the Iranian authorities.

The UK’s position is firm. Iran’s regime is responsible for appalling actions and must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. The Government will remain engaged, apply pressure, and work closely with allies to constrain Iran’s dangerous activities. We will continue to condemn reckless attacks, promote civilian protection, support the security of partners across the region, and take all possible steps to keep British nationals safe. The future of Iran should be for the Iranian people.

For these reasons, the Government does not intend to sever diplomatic ties with Iran. Maintaining relations – while being firm, coordinated and clear about our objectives – offers the best prospect of advancing British interests, supporting stability, holding Iran to account, and preserving the possibility of a diplomatic solution.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office