AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE,
London: British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw ruled out a policy of regime change against Iran on Tuesday amid mounting concern about Tehran's development of nuclear weapons and its stance towards Israel.
“I have to say to you that regime change in Iran is not part of the policy of Her Majesty's Government, nor do I think it would be wise,” Straw said during a question period in parliament.
He had been asked whether London still ruled out discussions with groups opposed to the Iranian government, and was responding to claims that internal regime change “could reduce the implied (nuclear) threat considerably”.
Straw said Britain was working with other European countries as well as the United States and Russia to ensure that Iran complies with its nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) obligations.
In February, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the initial emphasis should be on a diplomatic approach to the situation in Iran.
An angry British Prime Minister Tony Blair said last Thursday that he felt a “real sense of revulsion” after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for Israel to be “wiped off the map”.
“If they continue down this path, then people are going to believe that they are a real threat to our world security and stability,” he told reporters after a day-long summit of European Union leaders outside London.
Other European leaders strongly condemned the remarks and warned Iran it could become a pariah state.
Israel has alleged that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons and long-range missiles that could strike at its heart.
Tehran, however, insists its nuclear intentions are peaceful, although the International Atomic Energy Agency found in September that Iran was in non-compliance with the NPT.
The matter will be discussed at the next IAEA board meeting later this month.
