The Iranian people deserve better" Straw

Jack Straw, UK foreign secretary, will on Monday call for the west to increase its engagement with the whole of Iranian society in the wake of the current impasse over Tehran’s nuclear programme. In a speech to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Mr Straw will steer clear of pushing for sanctions, instead suggesting that non-governmental organisations, civil groups and think-tanks should increase their contact with the country’s population.

“We in Europe must think of ways in which we can better communicate with the Iranian people,” he is set to say. The Iranian people deserve better.”

The speech is expected to focus on how segments of Iranian society, such as students, business people and minority groups, will lose out if Tehran does not fully engage with the west.

Britain, like the other leading members of the European Union, is deeply sceptical about sanctions.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nation’s nuclear watchdog, last week ended its discussions on Iran without agreement - a move that automatically sent the file to the UN Security Council in New York, which is expected to discuss the topic this week.

Although the Security Council is unlikely to impose sanctions on Iran and no US military action is imminent, Mohamed ElBaradei, IAEA director general, is worried that the two sides could be set for confrontation.

He called for them to soften their rhetoric and suggested that the US eventually join negotiations with Iran. Mr ElBaradei said he hoped a deal could be reached in the next few weeks.