Tehran, Aug 24, IRNA - Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani and visiting British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on Monday held talks on ways to boost all-out ties.

Shamkhani told Hammond that moving toward sustainable relations based on trust building can secure mutual interests of Iran and Britain.

The Iranian official said that Iran expects the UK government to change views towards Iran and take distance from nonconstructive misunderstandings.

Shamkhani said that understanding the real source of Islamic Republic's power by the UK government can help boost ties between Tehran and London.

He maintained that the Islamic Republic of Iran's power has roots in the nation's support and the Supreme Leader's insight, saying that Iran adopted a balanced and stabilizing regional and international policies.

Shamkhani referred to Iran's warnings about spread of terrorism in the region, saying that fighting terrorism and extremism needs respecting national sovereignty and independence of the governments.

Iran and Britain have similar stance towards fighting ISIL, regional stability and development of economic cooperation, the official noted.

He said that supporting the nations, the subjects to oppression by the bullying powers for the campaign to vindicate their own legitimate rights is part of Iran's foreign policy.

British foreign secretary for his part stressed the important role of Iran in resolution of regional problems including terrorism.

London is keen on developing sustainable ties with Iran in all fields including economic relations and regional cooperation, he noted.

Meanwhile, Hammond held separate talks with President Hassan Rouhani on Monday morning.

Hammond arrived in Tehran yesterday morning to reopen the UK embassy in Tehran and hold talks with the Iranian officials.

He is leading an economic and political delegation to Iran.

This is the first visit by a British foreign secretary to Iran since 2003.

The UK has had no diplomatic presence in Tehran since a group of protesters stormed the British embassy in 2011 to protest the EU economic sanctions on Iran masterminded by the British government but the mandate given to President Hassan Rouhani by the people in the presidential election to restore ties with the outside world brought about a significant improvement in relations.

Initially, the embassy will be headed by a charge d’affaires, Ajay Sharma, but Hammond said that upgrading the ties to full ambassador level will be on agenda in the next few months.

By IRNA