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Hague: Iran sanctions could be strengthened if nuclear talks fail
Foreign Secretary William Hague updated Parliament yesterday on weekend talks in Geneva between the P5+1 powers (US, UK, China, Russia, France and Germany) and Iran, which failed to result in an interim agreement on Tehran’s nuclear development.
Hague reported that although “some gaps between the parties remain… most of those gaps are now narrow” and that “there is no doubt in my mind” that a deal can be agreed with the two sides scheduled to meet again next week. He explained that the proposed plan is to conclude an interim agreement with Iran, “as an essential step towards a comprehensive settlement.”
However, Hague also said that the details of any agreement “matter greatly.” He specified that “An interim agreement would involve offering Iran limited, proportionate sanctions relief” and stressed that “we will be vigilant and firm in upholding the international sanctions which have played an indispensable part in creating this new opening with Iran.” He added that sanctions are costing Iran an estimated $4billion each month and “this cost will be maintained until we reach an agreement.”
Hague further explained, “It’s very important for the Iranian authorities to understand that the pressure will be there for greater sanctions, for an intensification of sanctions, unless an agreement is reached.” Over the past few days Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continually stressed the importance of maintaining international sanctions in order to resolve the impasse over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, in a related development, it was announced yesterday that Ajay Sharma, previously head of the Foreign Office’s Iran department, has been appointed as the UK’s non-resident charge d’affaires to Tehran. Sharma’s appointment represents a restoration of diplomatic ties between the UK and Iran, after diplomatic relations had been severed following the ransacking of the UK embassy in Tehran in 2011. Sharma said yesterday, “This is very much in the interests of both our countries. I hope to make my first visit to Tehran as non-resident Charge later this month.”