I share your concerns about Iran's appalling human rights record and know that this has been a long-standing and serious concern for HM Government (HMG), along with the regime's continued refusal to allow the UN Special Rapporteur access to the country. Respect for human rights underpins the UK's foreign policy, which is why Iran remains one of 31 human rights priority countries for the UK.

Iran's continued and prolific use of the death penalty, weak rule of law, high rates of child forced marriage, restrictions on freedoms of expression and of religion or belief, as well as restrictions on the right of women to fully participate in society, remains deeply worrying. This was reiterated at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in February 2023, during which the UK co-sponsored a Joint Statement demanding that Iran improve its human rights situation, and in the latest report by the UN Special Rapporteur, which provides further confirmation of the extent of the Iranian Government's human rights violations.

I am assured that the UK will continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its dire record on human rights. The UK Foreign Secretary regularly speaks with their opposite number in Iran on a wide range of issues, including nuclear non-compliance, regional stability and security, the release of UK dual-nationals and indeed on Iranian human rights violations.

The executions by the Iranian authorities were deplorable. The UK is firmly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country, as a matter of principle, and makes this clear to the Iranian regime on a regular basis.

The UK has over 200 sanctions designations in place against Iran in relation to human rights, nuclear proliferation and terrorism. HMG also used the dedicated Iran Human Rights sanctions regime on 10 October to designate the so-called 'Morality Police', two of its leaders and five others for serious human rights violations. On 14 January, HMG also sanctioned Iran's Prosecutor General, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, who is one of the most powerful figures in Iran's judicial system, as well as Deputy Prosecutor General Ahmad Fazelian on 23 January, who is responsible for a judicial system characterised by unfair trials and egregious punishments, including use of the death penalty for political purposes. 

This brings the total to over 100 individuals and two entities sanctioned under that regime, sending a clear message to the Iranian authorities that the UK will hold them to account for the shocking violence inflicted on their own people. The sanctions list is consistently reviewed and updated in response to the Iranian regime's actions.

I can assure you that the UK continues to work with our international partners to explore all options for addressing Iran’s human rights violations. It is the long-standing practice of the British Government, however, not to comment on potential future expulsions or sanctions designations.