Eu policy 'risks inspiring extremists in Iran'

The European Union risks encouraging Islamic extremists in Iran by continuing to deal with the Tehran government, a US diplomat warned today.

Prime Minister Tony Blair insists it is right to remain ‘‘engaged’’ with Iran despite its embarrassing rejection of his choice of Ambassador.

But bowing to hard-liners will not modernise the country and end its support for terrorism, said Glyn Davies, deputy head of mission at the US Embassy in London.

‘‘We are getting that message from any number of leaders in Europe,’’ Mr Davies said.

‘‘I guess it comes down to on this point we perhaps will have to agree to disagree.’’

Extremist clerics who still largely control Iran support Islamic terrorists fighting in the name of the Palestinians.

Downing Street has insisted good relations are vital to encourage reformers seeking to modernise the country against traditionalists’ wishes.

But US President George Bush cited Iran as part of an ‘‘axis of evil’’ in his recent State of the Union address.

And Foreign Secretary Jack Straw upset many in Washington by suggesting the speech was largely aimed at the American congressional elections in November.

Mr Davies today said Iran’s progress towards producing weapons of mass destruction, noted by both the US and UK secret services, made it ‘‘too dangerous to ignore’’.

‘‘The United States has concluded that you probably don’t help the reforming elements in Iran if you make concessions to the hard-liners in that country and after all it is the hard-liners who are still in charge of that country,’’ he said.

‘‘The question I suppose comes down to one of tactics and we have concluded you do not help the moderating elements of Iran by making concessions to those in charge.

‘‘I really doubt that words spoken by the President of the United States are going to necessarily undercut the reforming elements in Iran.

‘‘They have their own strong motivations to pursue their path.’’

His intervention comes just days after the Iranian Ambassador to Britain’s status was down-graded.

The move was announced on Friday in response to Tehran’s rejection of David Reddaway as the new UK Ambassador to Iran.

Morteza Sarmadi will now be regarded as a charge d’affaires, the same diplomatic rank accorded to Britain’s current man in Tehran.

However, Mr Blair’s official spokesman today repeated the Prime Minister’s view that it was important to remain ‘‘engaged’’ in a bid to encourage reform.