Meeting discusses UK-Iran relations in context

4 April 2007

A panel of Iran experts discussed British-Iranian relations in light of the crisis involving the 15 British naval personnel held captive in Tehran. Although the event was held before the announcement of their release, Hormoz Naficy, one of the speakers, said that he would not be surprised if the fifteen were home for Easter.

The panel included Sir Richard Dalton, a former UK Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran; Hormoz Naficy, Director of business development at Azar Energy; Mehdi Varzi, President of Varzi Energy and was chaired by Dr Rosemary Hollis, Director of Research, Chatham House.

Sir Richard Dalton said that it was not appropriate to call the 15 British sailors "hostages" as President Bush has done. He also stated that there was no dispute over borders in the Gulf, and pointed to the Iranians' decision to change the coordinates of the alleged breach.

Asked if the current situation was analogous to the US/Iranian hostage crisis of 1979 Hormoz Naficy said that one should be aware of what had gone before, but warned against drawing too many parallels.

Mehdi Varsi said that the Iranian people have a historic and deep-rooted suspicion towards the British. He said that by entering into cautious diplomatic negotiations with Iran the UK was doing the right thing.

Notes to editors:

For further information on the event or to contact one of the participants, please contact:

Sam Hardy
Tel: +44 (0)20 7957 5739

ENDS

Surname
Membership No.
	Remember me