Not downgrading diplomatic ties with Britain, says Iran

September 24th, 2009 LONDON - Britain has ignored Iran's savage suppression of opposition in order to safeguard talks on its nuclear program, claimed the latter country's only Nobel Laureate and human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi. The Times quoted Dr.

September 9th, 2009 France, Britain, Germany: Iran must engageVIENNA — Britain, France and Germany are urging Iran to engage in "meaningful negotiations" aimed at achieving a comprehensive diplomatic solution to the international standoff over its nuclear program. Iran insists the program is peaceful and aimed at generating electricity.

June 29th, 2009 Iran: No downgrade of diplomatic ties with BritainEDITOR'S NOTE: Iranian authorities have barred journalists for international news organizations from reporting on the streets and ordered them to stay in their offices. This report is based on the accounts of witnesses reached in Iran and official statements carried on Iranian media.

June 29th, 2009 JERUSALEM - Despite claiming that Iranian President Mohammad Ahmadinejad is not in-charge of his country's foreign policy, Washington has said it is still interested in having a dialogue with the Iranian leadership. US President Barack Obama's top adviser, David Axelrod, said the US remains open to meeting with Iran in Paris in an effort to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

June 28th, 2009 Obama officials say talks with Iran still possibleWASHINGTON — The Obama administration is open to discussions with Iran over its nuclear ambitions despite protests questioning the legitimacy of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election, U.S. officials said Sunday.

June 28th, 2009 UK calls embassy detentions in Iran 'unacceptable'CORFU, Greece — Britain's foreign secretary categorically denied Sunday that his country had helped foment postelection discontent in Iran. David Miliband, who is on the Greek island of Corfu for a meeting of foreign ministers' from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, condemned the detention of British Embassy employees in Iran, which he said occurred Saturday.

June 28th, 2009 Axelrod: Ahmadinejad not running foreign policyWASHINGTON — The White House contended on Sunday that Iran's president wasn't in charge of his country's foreign policy and said his criticism of Washington was little more than "bloviations." President Barack Obama's top adviser, David Axelrod, said the U.S. remains open to meeting, alongside its European allies, with Iran in Paris in an effort to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

June 27th, 2009 TEHRAN - Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Saturday said his new government would be more decisive and tough in its policies towards the West, Islamic Students News Agency (ISNA) reported. "Iran will make you feel regret, if you continue to interfere and behave rudely," Ahmadinejad said while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a nationwide judicial conference here.

June 25th, 2009 CARACAS - Venezuela and the US have agreed to restore their diplomatic ties, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said. Washington cut off diplomatic ties with Caracas after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez expelled US ambassador Patrick Duddy from the Andean nation Sep 11, 2008.

June 24th, 2009 Iran considering downgrading ties with BritainCAIRO — Iran says it is considering downgrading ties with Britain after days of rising tension over criticism of Iran's disputed presidential election. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was asked about the option of reducing diplomatic relations with London after a Cabinet meeting in Tehran.

June 24th, 2009 Supreme leader: Iran won't give in on electionCAIRO — Iran's supreme leader said Wednesday that the government would not give in to pressure over the disputed presidential election, effectively closing the door to compromise with the opposition. Iran also said it was considering downgrading ties with Britain, which it has accused of spying and fomenting days of unprecedented street protests over the vote.

June 24th, 2009 Britain replaces USA as Iran's verbal targetLONDON — Britain has replaced America as Iran's "Great Satan." That's the upshot of the announcement Wednesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is considering downgrading its diplomatic ties to Britain, the country's former colonial ruler. The comments by Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Iranian state television signal a concerted effort to blame the British for the chaotic postelection street demonstrations threatening the government, experts say.

June 23rd, 2009 Tit-for-tat expulsions trouble UK, Iran tiesLONDON — Prime Minister Gordon Brown criticized Iran on Tuesday for expelling two U.K. diplomats from Tehran for alleged spying, and announced that two Iranian diplomats were being sent home in retaliation.

June 23rd, 2009 LONDON - Britain would expel two Iranian diplomats after the Iranian government ordered two British diplomats to leave the country, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Tuesday. Brown told parliament that the allegations made against the two British diplomats were "absolutely without foundation".

January 25th, 2009 LONDON - An Iranian trade delegation will visit here next month to boost economic cooperation with their counterparts in Britain, IRNA reported. Martin Johnston, director general of the London-based British-Iranian Chamber of Commerce, said the Iranian delegation will arrive here in the first week of February to hold trade talks.