Iran Warns UK Against Allowing Use of Bases for Potential US Action

Tehran has cautioned London that permitting the United States to utilize British territory for any military action against Iran would be interpreted as an act of aggression, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Friday. The warning came during a telephone conversation between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Details of the Conversation

During the call, Abbas Araghchi conveyed to Yvette Cooper that any use of UK bases by the US would be “regarded as participation in aggression and will be recorded in the history of relations between the two countries.” Iran International reported on the exchange.

Araghchi reiterated Iran’s openness to diplomacy, stating that Tehran “has never rejected negotiations and dialogue based on respect for the Iranian nation’s legal rights and legitimate interests,” but firmly rejected “talks based on one-sided imposition.”

Nuclear Program Concerns

The conversation also touched upon the Iranian nuclear program. Araghchi criticized the approach of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom regarding Iran’s nuclear issue, deeming it “irresponsible.” Mehr News Agency reported that Araghchi emphasized Iran’s commitment to negotiations that respect its legal rights and legitimate interests.

Cooper, for her part, reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to diplomatic solutions regarding the nuclear dossier. No official readout of the call has been issued by the UK government. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Recent Developments

The exchange occurs following the triggering of the Iran nuclear deal snapback mechanism by the three European countries—France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—in August, leading to the reimposition of UN sanctions in September. In September, Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reached a technical understanding in Cairo, mediated by Egypt, aimed at gradually restoring inspectors’ access to nuclear sites.

Araghchi has previously stated that the United States and the three European powers had “killed” the Cairo nuclear agreement through what he described as a series of hostile actions. He has also accused the US of pursuing “dictation, not negotiation,” alleging an attempt to achieve through diplomacy what it failed to achieve through force.