- You are here:
- Home
- › Global issues
- › Middle East and North Africa
- › Iran
Britain's relations with Iran
With its natural wealth and talented people, Iran has the potential to become prosperous and successful – a country that plays a constructive role in its region and co-operates with and is respected by the international community. We would welcome improved relations with Iran. We have shared interests in a wide range of issues including a stable Afghanistan, and countering the trade in narcotics. There is a sizeable Iranian community in the UK and Iran continues to attract considerable interest within the UK from academics, artists and ordinary citizens. And there is the potential for a much greater level of trade between our two countries. We hope that in the future these links will develop and flourish.
However, the UK and many other countries have serious concerns about the Iranian Government’s policies: its failure to address serious international concerns about its nuclear programme; its support for terrorism and promotion of instability in its region; and its continued denial of the human rights to which its own people aspire and which Iran has made international commitments to protect.
Following an attack on the British Embassy in Tehran on 29 November, we have now closed our Embassy. This does not amount to the severing of diplomatic relations in their entirety. It is action that reduces our relations with Iran to the lowest level consistent with the maintenance of diplomatic relations.
On 14 March, we launched a new website "UK for Iranians" (in English and Farsi) and social media presence, opening up the opportunity for a dialogue direct with the Iranian people. The improved social media presence, including new Google+, Facebook and Twitter accounts, aims to harness the power of social media, opening up new channels of communication to engage Iranians in open conversation.
Iran and the nuclear issue
On Iran’s nuclear programme, we are actively seeking a solution through diplomatic engagement and sanctions to encourage compliance by Iran with the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and six UN Security Council resolutions.
You can find more information about sanctions and how they affect British businesses
Find out more information about our concerns about Iran's nuclear programme.
Human rights
The human rights situation in Iran has deteriorated markedly since the disputed elections of June 2009, with a crackdown by the government on any form of dissent. Thousands of protestors were arrested in the wake of the elections, followed by show trials, with death sentences for at least 13 of those involved. Over two years later, freedom of expression and assembly are effectively denied and widespread restrictions on media and the internet remain.
Extensive use of the death penalty, torture and excessive use of force, unfair trials, and legislative and other discrimination against women and ethnic and religious minorities, all remain key areas of international concern. The UK government continues to speak out internationally about human rights abuses in Iran - you can find more information here.
- FCO Human Rights and Democracy Report on Iran
- FCO Farsi Spokesperson Barry Marston's video blogs on human rights and Iran
-
Foreign Secretary speaks at 'Imprisoned in Iran' event
Iran in the region
Iran’s backing of Hizbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and other Palestinian Rejectionist Groups and its support to militia groups in Iraq and to the Taleban in Afghanistan undermine international efforts to foster stability and security in these countries and the region, and have caused serious tension with its neighbours. We are also deeply concerned by credible information that Iran is providing equipment and technical advice to help the Syrian regime quash protests in Syria. Iran’s clandestine nuclear programme only deepens regional mistrust about its intentions, with a nuclear Iran seen as a greater threat to regional stability and efforts to build peace in the Middle East.
An Iran that chooses co-operation rather than confrontation could yet play a role in international affairs commensurate with its culture, history and the educational strength of its population.
You can also join our Facebook page, see our Farsi podcasts, and follow UK for Iranians on Twitter.