To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take during the next 12 months at the United Nations to seek to prevent (i) weapons and (ii) funds from the Government of Iran being sent to terrorist groups in (A) Afghanistan, (B) Iraq, (C) Gaza and (D) Lebanon; and if he will make a statement.

We have no plans to take specific actions at the UN at this time. However, the UK led the way at the UN to achieve UN Security Council Resolution 1860 which makes clear the need to combat the smuggling of weapons through the tunnels into Gaza. We continue to push for full implementation of this resolution.

We have serious concerns about Iranian support for Hezbollah. Iran provides Hezbollah with significant financial resources, military equipment and training. Arms supplies to Hezbollah are contrary to the arms embargo established by UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

We have long-standing concerns about the support that Iran provides in the form of funding, arms and training to Palestinian Rejectionist Groups, including Hamas. These groups undermine peace in the Middle East through violence. We hope that Iran will instead give political and diplomatic support to the Palestinian Authority in its attempts to build institutions and improve security.

We understand that members of al-Qaeda and affiliated groups have used, and possibly continue to use, Iran as a transit route for arms smuggling. We have urged Iran to act against this and co-operate fully with the international community against terrorism, as required by UN Security Council Resolution 1373.

The UK would like to see Iran making a positive contribution to creating a secure, stable and prosperous Middle East, free from violence. But its current behaviour is a cause for serious concern for us and others. Iran needs to work with the international community and its regional neighbours to restore confidence in its intentions.