Iran has a pivotal role to play in political developments in the Middle East. The visit should provide the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee with vital input on the country’s perspective regarding the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq, and the efforts to defeat IS, central elements in Norwegian foreign policy. It will also provide the opportunity to raise issues of importance to Norway, such as Iran’s human rights record and the current negotiations on its nuclear programme.

The Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee has been invited by the Iranian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. While in Tehran they will meet a number of parliamentarians, principal representatives of the Iranian authorities and other people of interest.