Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Britain Sharpens Tone Towards Iran

Jamie Dettmer

   Britain appears to be moving closer to U.S. President Donald Trump's
   position on Iran and hardening its attitude towards Tehran -- the
   result, diplomats say, partly of talks during the American leader's
   recent visit to London, but also because of aggressive Iranian actions.

   U.S. officials say they've been cheered by the stiffening of Britain's
   public rhetoric in support of Trump in the precarious standoff with
   Tehran.

   They contrast that with British criticism of Trump's decision last year
   to pull out of a 2015 deal, co-signed by his predecessor Barack Obama,
   in which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program in return for
   sanctions relief. President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement,
   citing concerns that Tehran had done nothing to curb expansionist
   behavior in the region and was still determined to eventually build
   nuclear weapons.

   British officials had also bristled at Trump's reimposition of
   sanctions on Iran and had been searching with other European powers
   ways to circumvent the U.S. sanctions so they wouldn't impact European
   businesses.

   Britain is still calling for a "de-escalation" in the Persian Gulf, but
   has been more forthright than France or Germany in condemning Iran for
   aggression in the Strait of Hormuz, including mining tankers and
   downing a U.S. drone -- as well as for Tehran's threats to step up
   nuclear activities and to breach the cap on uranium stockpile limits
   set by the 2015 accord.

   Britain's foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said Monday he was worried an
   accidental war could be triggered, adding, "we are doing everything we
   can to ratchet things down."

   Hunt said Britain is closely in touch with the United States over the
   "very dangerous situation in the Gulf" and is "doing everything we can
   to de-escalate."

   But he did not rule out the possibility Britain would consider a
   request for military support from its "strongest ally," and would
   consider backing the U.S. in the Gulf "on a case-by-case basis." That
   might include greater British support in protecting shipping in the
   Strait of Hormuz.

.