UK, Iran top diplomats discuss bilateral ties, nuclear issue

TEHRAN, Dec. 20 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper held a telephone conversation on Friday, exchanging views on bilateral relations, consular matters, and the Iranian nuclear issue.

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Yvette Cooper, the UK’s foreign secretary, held a telephone conversation on Friday to discuss a range of bilateral and international issues.

During the call, the two sides exchanged views on aspects of Iran-UK relations, including consular matters, and stressed the need to continue consultations at various levels in order to enhance mutual understanding and follow up on issues of interest to both sides.

Araghchi criticized the irresponsible approach of three European countries toward Iran’s nuclear issue, emphasizing that Iran has never rejected negotiations or dialogue based on respect for the legal rights and legitimate interests of the Iranian nation. However, he underlined that Iran firmly opposes negotiations that amount to unilateral imposition.

The UK foreign secretary, for her part, reiterated Britain’s position on the necessity of using diplomacy in addressing Iran’s nuclear issue.