Iran

Baroness Ashton has hailed initial talks with Iran over its nuclear programme as "constructive and useful", as she announced a further round to be held next month in Baghdad.

Speaking after negotiations between Tehran and the P5+1 countries (US, France, Germany, Russia, China and the UK), the EU's representative for foreign affairs also suggested Iran could be allowed to develop a civil nuclear power programme.

"We set out with a very clear objective - that we wanted to know whether Iran was serious about moving to a sustained process. We set out today to ensure that that was the case," she said.

"So I think we’ve been clear from the start that our objectives were to see that this process could move forward. And the success criteria for this is that I am able to not only describe that but also announce the date and place of the next meetings."

She suggested Tehran could have the "right" to a peaceful nuclear programme, saying "reciprocity" was a part of the process.

"We’ve also said, clearly, that Iran could have the right to have civil nuclear power programme, a peaceful nuclear power programme, so I think you can see the direction and you can see what we’re seeking to achieve."

Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the announcement of fresh talks, but warned there is "still a long way to go" before a agreement is reached.

"We look forward to the next round of talks. We now need agreement on urgent, practical steps to build confidence around the world that Iran will implement its international obligations and does not intend to build a nuclear weapon," he said.

Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt has challenged Iran to demonstrate its willingness to discuss its nuclear programme in forthcoming talks.

In a video blog aimed at the Iranian people, Mr Burt said: These talks present a genuine opportunity to move things forward. The Iranian government has written to us to say it wants these talks to cover its nuclear programme. The talks will be a demonstration of whether or not the Iranian government is really ready to do that”.

President Obama has approved the implementation of fresh sanctions on those who purchase Iranian oil. In a statement, Mr Obama insisted there was enough oil in then international market, and that US allies who boycott Iranian oil will not suffer negative consequences as a result of their decision. The move will also allow the US to take action against foreign banks that still deal with Iranian oil.

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to add 17 Iranians to its sanctions list for human rights abuses.

There are now 78 Iranians subject to travel bans and asset freezes due to human rights abuses.

Foreign secretary WIlliam Hague said the EU has: "agreed important measures to address the appalling human rights situation in Iran. I welcome the designation of prominent members of the judiciary and government, including some of the architects of repression and the recognition that the Basij militia has been responsible for grave violations over many years."

The ministers also signed the legal text for sanctions agreed in January in response to Tehran's nuclear program, including a ban on Iranian exports of crude oil, sanctions on its central bank and a ban on trade in gold.

Mr Hague said: "The message is clear. Iran cannot ignore the international community and should be in no doubt that we will ratchet up the pressure until it chooses a different path. I hope that Iran demonstrates it is willing to do so."

The window for solving the the Iranian nuclear crisis diplomatically is "shrinking," President Obama has warned.

Speaking alongside David Cameron in Washington, the President said that sanctions against Iran were already having "significant effects" on the economy and would begin "to bite even harder" as the year progresses.

However he offered one of the starkest warnings yet, saying that "because we have employed so many of the options that are available to us to persuade Iran to take a different course, that window for solving this issue diplomatically is shrinking".

Mr Obama said the US would do "everything we can do resolve this diplomatically" but warned Tehran that it must understand that it "can’t escape or avade the choice before it".

Mr Cameron insisted upcoming talks with the Iranians were "serious" and aimed at a peaceful resolution, but he added that "nothing is off the table" as far as action against Tehran is concerned. 

The Prime Minister has claimed that Iran is trying to build an "inter-continental nuclear weapon" that could endanger the west, while urging Israel to allow time for sanctions to come into effect.

David Cameron gave the warning to the Commons Liaison Committee after being briefed on Iran’s threat to the UK by security adviser Sir Kim Darroch.

A fresh round of talks with the country's negotiators is due and officials have agreed to let UN inspectors visit a suspected nuclear weapons testing site.

David Cameron has revealed that Iran wants an "intercontinental" nuclear capability that threatens the West.

Speaking to the Liaison Committee of senior MPs, the Prime Minister said Tehran's nuclear ambitions were dangerous for the Middle East, but added that they were also a danger for the world beyond.

"It is also very dangerous for the region because it would trigger a nuclear arms race. But is a danger more broadly, not least because there are signs that the Iranians want to have some sort of intercontinental missile capability. We have to be clear this is a threat potentially much wider than just Israel and the region."

His remarks come after the Cabinet received a stark presentation from security officials on Iran's nuclear development plans. In the presence of MI6 chief Sir John Sawers, Mr Cameron heard from his National Security adviser Sir Kim Darroch on how far the Ahmadinejad regime had come, and how the UK's strategy of political and economic measures was having an effect.

Speaking to MPs, the Prime Minister insisted sanctions were working and stressed that Iran should not be seen as "a mini super-power" but as "a disastrous country" with mass unemployment and a dysfunctional economy.

The Cabinet also discussed the position of Israel and the latest assessments of its own preparations. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said in Washington last night that his country "won't wait much longer" to defend itself against the Ahmadinejad regime.

Despite talk in the US of possible military action, there were the first signs today that diplomatic and economic pressure was paying off. Baroness Ashton, the European Union's foreign affairs representative, announced this afternoon that the E3+3 group of countries had accepted an offer from Tehran to re-open negotiations over the nuclear programme.

Iran's chief negotiator, Saeed Jalili, proposed in February to resume negotiations with the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany after more than a year of standstill.

Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the announcement, and said the "onus will be on Iran" to prove its nuclear programme was peaceful.

"If it does so then we have always been ready to respond positively by offering assistance with the development of Iran's civil nuclear power stations," he added.