The UK wants Iran to be a secure and prosperous country, cooperating with and respected by the international community. The UK Government has no quarrel with the Iranian people, however it is very concerned about many of the activities of Iran's governing regime. Through the British Embassy in Tehran, the UK Government maintains a robust dialogue with the Iranian Government on these concerns, which include:

• Iran's lack of respect for human rights shown towards its people;
• Iran's nuclear programme;
• Iran's support for terrorism and groups seeking to undermine the Middle East Peace Process; and
• other regional issues.

The UK Government, along with the rest of the international community, is particularly concerned by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The UK, together with the E3+3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States), are committed to a twin-track approach. This approach is intended to apply pressure on Iran and persuade it to engage in negotiations on a long-term agreement that would address the concerns of the international community over Iran's nuclear programme.

The UK is also gravely concerned that Iran is providing explosives, detonators and training to the Shi'a militias who are engaged in operations against the UN-mandated forces in Iraq.

The United Kingdom cannot be sure of the degree to which those in the senior levels of the Iranian Government are complicit in this activity. Any Iranian links to armed groups in Iraq outside the political process, either through supply of weapons, training or funding, are unacceptable. They undermine Iran's long-term interest in a secure, stable and democratic Iraq.