Iran-UK relations turn frosty
Diplomatic channels appear blocked between London and Tehran following Hade Soleimanpour’s arrest and increased pressure on Iran to open up its nuclear facilities to UN inspection.
Iran’s president Ali Mohammed Khatami has insisted Britain release and publicly apologise for the arrest of Mr Soleimanpour, a former Iranian diplomat, who faces extradition for his alleged involvement in the 1994 Buenos Aires bomb attack almost 10 years ago.
He has urged the British government to end “this incorrect deed.”
Ambassador Morteza Sarmadi flew back to Tehran yesterday after talks collapsed with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Monday.
There are suggestions the ambassador may not return.
It is rumoured that the Iran may retaliate diplomatically by expelling the British Ambassador to Iran, Richard Dalton.
A Foreign Office spokesman said that despite the Iranian ambassador’s return to Tehran, there were no plans to downgrade relations between the two countries.
The Foreign Office has said the British government cannot interfere in the extradition matter as it was a “judiciary case.”
