Straw urges Iran to let in nuclear inspectors
Mr Straw flew into the Iranian capital with a warning for the country's leaders that failure to co-operatecould damage its chances of a lucrative trade deal with the EU.
His call comes amid growing international concern that Iran's civil power programme is a cover for the development of nuclear weapons.
Earlier this month the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA )issued a report calling on Iran to sign up to a new protocol to the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The IAEA wants Tehran to stop the enrichment of uranium a key step in building an atomic bomb and allow inspectors full access to its nuclear installations.
"The sooner they do this the greater the reassurance that can be provided to the IAEA and the UN," he said.
Mr Straw, who was meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi, linked progress on the issue to trade talks with the EU due to start in September.
The IAEA is also scheduled to hold its next board meeting in September and officials said it would be a reasonable timescale to expect the Iranians to have signed up to the new protocol by then.
Mr Straw said he would also be raising the issue of Iran's influence in neighbouring Iraq, over which he said there had been some problems.
The US has publicly warned Tehran not to interfere in Iraq in support of pro-Iranian Shia Muslims.
Mr Straw said he would be emphasising it was in Iran's own interest to see a stable Iraq.
Last week British ambassador Richard Dalton was summoned last week to explain remarks by Tony Blairapparently backing students protesting against the Iranian government.
The Iranians are acutely sensitive to any suggestion of British interference in their internal affairs, and Mr Straw sought to smooth over the row saying that Mr Blair did not refer to Iran in his reply and was simply making a general statement.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
