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PA Media
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has advised Iranian President Hassan Rouhani there ought to be “an finish to hostilities”.
In a cellphone name, Mr Johnson urged calm following Iran’s retaliation for the US killing of military chief Qasem Soleimani.
The PM additionally underlined the UK’s dedication to the Iran nuclear deal, regardless of stress to desert it from US President Donald Trump.
It got here after Iran fired missiles at air bases in Iraq the place US and UK troops are stationed.
Mr Johnson additionally raised the “continued detention and mistreatment” of charity employee Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and different twin nationals who’re imprisoned in Iran, and referred to as on President Rouhani to organise their fast launch.
Downing Road stated the cellphone name lasted round 20 minutes.
Earlier, UK Overseas Secretary Dominic Raab stated he recognised the risk Iran poses within the Center East and a US “proper to self-defence”, after talks along with his counterpart in Washington.
Mr Raab additionally reiterated his assist for a diplomatic decision to the disaster throughout his assembly with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“We wish to see the tensions de-escalated,” he stated.
The already tense relationship between the US and Iran has deteriorated considerably in current days, after a US drone strike killed Normal Qasem Soleimani, one among Iran’s prime army commanders.
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AFP
Boris Johnson spoke with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani for round 20 minutes, Downing Road stated
Mr Raab welcomed US President Donald Trump’s name for a diplomatic decision following Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes.
“After all it additionally wants the federal government in Iran to be keen and dedicated to that final result as properly,” he added.
The US authorities stated Gen Soleimani had been plotting “imminent attacks”, however Mr Raab refused to say whether or not he had seen any intelligence on this.
Mr Raab reiterated the UK’s dedication to the Joint Complete Plan of Motion (JCPOA) on proscribing Iran’s nuclear programme,
The international secretary stated the UK authorities was “trying very laborious at what ought to occur subsequent” after Iran declared earlier this week that it could abandon all limits on its enrichment of uranium.
“We’re completely dedicated, as our American and European companions are, to avoiding Iran buying a nuclear weapon,” he stated.
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Iran’s announcement marked additional fracturing of the 2015 nuclear deal, wherein the nation agreed to restrict delicate nuclear actions in return for the lifting of crippling financial sanctions.
The US withdrew from the deal in 2018, however the different events – the UK, France, Germany, China and Russia – stated they have been nonetheless devoted to it.
Mr Raab stated that, whereas the UK has been dedicated to the deal, “we have reached some extent the place non-compliance has been so acute in the newest steps taken by Iran.”
Requested whether or not there was nonetheless an opportunity that the deal may survive if Iran began to uphold its commitments, he stated: “There is a chance to construct on this deal.
“However finally the target is crucial factor which is to keep away from the chance of Iran in search of – not to mention buying – a nuclear weapon.”