P5+1 ready to build confidence: UK

Hague made the comments after the talks between the P5+1 group (Britain, the United States, France, China, and Russia plus German) and Iran in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Wednesday and Thursday.

In an official statement posted on the website of Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hague said the P5+1 is ready to take concrete steps to build confidence but they are more inclined to wait for Iran to take steps and then they would respond.

“The E3+3 [P5+1] went united and ready to take concrete steps to build confidence. In line with the reciprocal, step by step approach agreed at Istanbul we set out in detail the steps we hoped Iran would take and how we would respond. We are still waiting for Iran to engage fully on these,” said Hague.

However, while Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said “policies of pressure and intimidation are futile” and Iran would not give in to pressure, Hague threatened Iran that “we will intensify the pressure from sanctions.”

Hague’s threat comes as European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton’s spokesperson welcomed the approach of Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili.

“The mood music is certainly good between Jalili and Ms Ashton, and hopefully we can get a positive result,” said Ashton’s spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Hague promised that the P5+1 would “remain fully committed to the diplomatic process” as the group and Iran are to meet in Moscow on 18-19 June for the next round of the negotiations.

ISH/JR/HE

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