UK Foreign Office Minister Meets Senior Officials In Iran

US-Iran tensions have increased in recent weeks amid claims that Tehran has been behind attacks on oil tankers the Persian Gulf (Picture: PA).

A Foreign Office minister met senior officials in Iran on Sunday.

The aim of the meeting was to raise concerns about the country's threat to breach the terms of its nuclear accord.

Dr Andrew Murrison called for an "urgent de-escalation" of tensions in the region during the meeting.

"The UK has an ongoing diplomatic dialogue with Iran," said the FCO.

"At this time of increased regional tensions and at a crucial period for the future of the nuclear deal, this visit is an opportunity for further open, frank and constructive engagement with the government of Iran."

The trip was announced after Donald Trump said the US was "cocked and loaded" to retaliate against Iran for downing an American drone, but cancelled the strikes 10 minutes before they were to be carried out on Thursday after being told 150 people could die.

President Trump pulled out of a long-term deal struck with Iran in 2015 to limit its sensitive nuclear activities and allow in international inspectors in return for the lifting of economic sanctions.

The deal was signed by his predecessor Barack Obama along with the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany, which still support the agreement.

Mr Trump, however, declared it a 'terrible' deal and imposed more sanctions.

Tensions between the US and Iran have increased in recent weeks amid claims by Washington that Tehran has been behind attacks on oil tankers the Persian Gulf.

Iran's foreign ministry has also recently praised the military for shooting down an American drone.

A deputy foreign minister in Tehran, Seyed Sajjadpour, said Iran was merely acting to defend itself.

The visit also comes amid continuing tension between London and Tehran over the treatment of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian dual citizen who has been detained in Iran since April 2016 accused of spreading propaganda against Iran.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways has become the latest airline to announce it is suspending operations through Iranian airspace over the Straits of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

In a statement, the United Arab Emirates-based carrier said it will use alternative flight paths on a number of routes to and from Abu Dhabi "until further notice".