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Hague announces cautious steps towards restoring Iran diplomatic ties
Foreign Secretary William Hague yesterday told the House of Commons that tentative steps are being taken towards the possible restoration of diplomatic ties with Iran.
The UK Embassy in Tehran was evacuated and closed in 2011 after it was stormed and ransacked by a mob angry at UK support for sanctions over Iran’s nuclear development. Iran’s diplomatic team was subsequently asked to leave the UK. However, in light of what Hague described as a “much more positive” tone from new Iranian President Rouhani and his government, the foreign secretary said “we are open to more direct contact” with Tehran.
Hague explained that both countries will appoint a non-resident charges d’affaires who will oversee the process of rebuilding ties, working towards the possibility of reopening embassies. However, Hague stressed that progress would depend on “substantial change” from Tehran and that “We must test the Iranian government’s sincerity to the full.”
Hague emphasised that “Iran remains in defiance of six UN Security Council resolutions … and it is installing more centrifuges in its nuclear facilities.” He explained that “In the absence of substantial change to these policies, we will continue to maintain strong sanctions.” Iranian officials are set to meet representatives of the P5+1 forum (United States, UK, China, Russia, France and Germany) next week in Geneva, although numerous rounds of talks have so far failed to make any tangible progress. However, the Wall Street Journal reports this morning that Iran will offer to limit its operational centrifuges, cease twenty per-cent uranium enrichment and agree to greater international supervision of its nuclear programme, in return for a lifting of sanctions on its financial system and oil market.
In his statement to the Commons yesterday, Hague also pledged support for a Quartet and US-led initiative to boost the Palestinian economy, saying that although there is no substitute for political progress, “it is vital that the Palestinian people see tangible improvements in their daily lives.”