LONDON, England: In a recent appearance before the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee, former UK Prime Minister David Cameron made it clear that the UK government has no intention of blacklisting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran. Cameron emphasized the importance of maintaining diplomatic relations with Tehran and expressed concern that blacklisting the IRGC could jeopardize these relations.
Cameron highlighted that while diplomatic relations between the UK and Iran may be strained, they are still functional. He noted the ability to engage in direct conversations with Iranian officials, including the foreign minister, and expressed the view that proscribing the IRGC could undermine the UK’s diplomatic efforts rather than strengthen them.
The former prime minister pointed out that diplomatic channels are essential for effective communication and negotiation with Iran. He emphasized the need for direct engagement with Iranian counterparts rather than relying on intermediaries or third-party messages.
Cameron’s remarks come amid calls from some British parliamentarians to blacklist the IRGC. However, the Iranian Embassy in the UK has criticized these efforts, describing them as part of a “malicious” campaign aimed at damaging Iran-UK relations. The embassy accused certain individuals and groups of pushing for the proscription of the IRGC with the goal of escalating tensions rather than promoting peace and stability in the region.
Furthermore, the embassy defended the IRGC’s role in countering terrorist threats and extremist groups in the Middle East, including combating the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). It argued that accusations of terrorism against the IRGC lack substantiation and are driven by political agendas that serve narrow interests rather than the broader goal of regional stability.
Overall, Cameron’s statements reflect the UK government’s cautious approach to dealing with Iran and highlight the complex diplomatic dynamics at play in the region.
