John Baron Tory MP Urges Caution over Iran

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"The sanctions and the sabre-rattling are yesterday's failed policies and the fact that we are once again on the brink of military conflict is testament to that failure.

"My motion calls on the government - and, by implication, the West - to rule out the use of force in order to reduce tensions and bring us back from the brink of war and military conflict, and to redouble diplomatic efforts." 

The UK must learn lessons from Iraq when it comes to circumstantial evidence and Western intelligence reports over weapons, Baron argued, citing a recent report by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.

Many say this report by UN inspectors points to evidence that Iran is trying to make a nuclear bomb.

"Close reading of the report reveals no smoking gun," Baron said, adding that the West has missed diplomatic opportunities with Iran and it should pursue talks, not military solutions.

"We need a better understanding of what makes Iran tick. We need to better understand the culture, the people, the history, the religion," he said. "We need to renounce the option of a military strike and go the extra mile for peace."

Iran recently revealed footage showing the progress of its nuclear programme, which President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims is peaceful and for energy, but others say is an attempt to build a bomb.

Sanctions have been placed on the country because of its alleged ambition to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Oil sales to Britain and France from the Iranians have been halted in retaliation.