TEHRAN – Britain’s Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt said on Monday that he had “useful conversations” with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on the nuclear agreement and wider regional issues.

“Weekend in Tehran - I had useful conversations with Deputy Foreign Minister Araghchi on the nuclear deal & wider regional issues. I also continued to press the case strongly on our dual national consular cases,” Burt said on his Twitter account.

The two diplomats met in Tehran on Saturday and discussed “bilateral economic cooperation, the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and mechanisms of monetary and financial deals between the two countries despite the U.S. sanctions.”

The visit was the first by a UK minister after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear agreement, which was struck between Iran and six world powers. 

Britain and the two other European signatories (France and Germany) have been trying to keep the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), alive despite Trump’s hostility towards Tehran.

In a statement before his visit, Burt echoed London’s assertion to remain committed to the JCPOA, saying, “As long as Iran meets its commitments under the deal, we remain committed to it as we believe it is the best way to ensure a safe and secure future for the region.”
 
MH/PA