Iran To Settle Existing Tensions With EU, Build Confidence

Tehran, July 16, IRNA – Iranˈs stand vis-à-vis members of the European Union, including Britain, is to remove existing tensions and build confidence, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said Tuesday. He made the remarks at his weekly press conference while he was commenting on recent statements of former British prime minister Jack Straw who said he had planned to visit Iran with the aim of improving bilateral ties. Straw had also expressed optimism about improvement of relations between Tehran and London during the president-elect Hassan Rohaniˈs tenure. ˈNo official request has yet been sent for the visit,ˈ Araqchi said. ˈIran welcomes the visit to Tehran of the member of the British House of Common or of any other person who is willing to come to Iran,ˈ Araqchi said noting that the words of the former British PM were ˈfully clear.ˈ Tehran-London diplomatic ties have been severed since 2011 after the British Embassy in Tehran was attacked by a mob and its diplomats were called on by current British Foreign Secretary William Hague. Iranian diplomats in London were also expelled. ˈIf. Straw is willing to see any improvement in Tehran-London relations, it should begin from the British side as it was the British government that shuttered the diplomatic ties,ˈ said the spokesman./end