Prime Minister ‘regrets’ breakdown of relations with Tehran regime

DOWNING Street has expressed “regret” at Iran’s decision to expel the UK’s ambassador from Tehran in a further worsening of relations between the two countries.

Iran’s constitutional watchdog, the Guardian Council, yesterday ratified a parliamentary bill to cut back diplomatic relations with the UK in retaliation for its support for recently upgraded sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme.

Foreign Secretary William Hague will discuss the issue when he meets fellow European Union foreign ministers on Thursday.

The bill – passed by an overwhelming majority yesterday – requires both Iran and Britain to withdraw their ambassadors from the other country and reduce representation to the level of charge d’affaires. It also calls for trade between the two countries to be reduced to “minimum levels”.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has five days to sign the bill before Iran’s foreign ministry can act on it.

Ambassador Dominick Chilcott only took up his position at the Tehran Embassy on 26 October and could be returning home after little more than a month in post.

Prime Minister David Cameron’s spokesman told reporters: “Clearly we regret their decision to expel our ambassador.”