Foreign Secretary reiterates Britain’s support for Iran nuclear deal

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has reiterated Britain’s support for the Iran nuclear deal ahead of a US deadline to recertify Iranian compliance.

Mr Johnson today held phone calls with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to underline the continued benefits of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) for all sides.

In his call with Mr Zarif, the Foreign Secretary also raised concerns about the detention of all dual UK-Iranian national detainees, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

The UK, France and Germany are clear that while Iran’s destabilising activities in the region are unacceptable, the regime has upheld its nuclear commitments.

Today (Wednesday) the Foreign Secretary will meet Iranian Vice President Dr Ali Akhbar Salehi in London to press for Iran’s continued compliance with the JCPoA. Dr Salehi is head of Iran’s nuclear agency and will be in London following his attendance at a nuclear conference in Rome.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

“The nuclear deal was a crucial agreement that neutralised Iran’s nuclear threat. The UK supports the deal and stresses the importance of all parties continuing to uphold their commitments.

“We have made no bones about our deep concern at Iran’s destabilising regional activity, including its ballistic missile programme, but I remain steadfast in my view that the nuclear deal was an historic achievement that has undoubtedly made the world a safer place.

“It was the culmination of 13 years of painstaking diplomacy and has increased security, both in the region and in the UK. It is these security implications that we continue to encourage the US to consider.”

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Political Director Karen Pierce also attended a meeting with French, German and EU counterparts on Tuesday evening to discuss the European position on the JCPOA. On 25 September, UK Ambassador to the US Sir Kim Darroch spoke at the Atlantic Council with European counterparts about the importance of the agreement, and he continues to meet senior US politicians to outline the UK’s position.