The U.K. will respond to any moves by Iranian President-elect Hassan Rohani to improve ties, Foreign SecretaryWilliam Haguesaid as he announced that Britons are no longer advised against travel toIranunder any circumstances.We will respond in good faith to positive action by Iran, Hague told the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee inLondontoday, asked whether Rohanis election provided an opportunity. We are ready to improve our relations on a step-by-step basis. He cautioned that Irans power structure is very complex, and its unsure how much authority Rohani will have.
The Foreign Office amended its travel advice on Iranon its websitetoday, dropping a recommendation not to travel anywhere in the country. The new advice warns against all but essential travel to most of the country and against all travel to parts of eastern Iran, including the Afghan and Pakistani borders.
We assess the risks to British nationals have reduced, Hague told the panel. Anti-British rhetoric has been lessened.
Rohani won more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round of Irans presidential election in June to succeedMahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose anti-Israel rhetoric and questioning of the Holocaust made Iran a pariah. Rohani pledged after winning to makeIrans nuclear programmore transparent, seeking to ease tension with the U.S and reduce sanctions that have crippled the economy.
Rohani, who takes office in August, said last month hes committed to his campaign promise to pursue a constructive foreign policy. Moderation in foreign policy doesnt mean surrender or conflict; it doesnt mean passivity or confrontation; but rather effective and constructive interaction with the world, he said on state television on June 29.
By Bloomberg
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