British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab spoke with his Iranian counterpart over the phone and congratulated him on his appointment.

Mutual interest in a stable Afghanistan discussed

During the phone call, Raab expressed hope that relations and interactions between Iran and the UK would expand in various fields based on mutual understanding.

In a tweet, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, "I held my first call with Iran Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian today. We discussed our shared interest in a stable Afghanistan."

"I called on Iran to release all arbitrarily detained British Nationals and to return to the JCPOA talks in Vienna," he added.

Held my first call with new Iran Foreign Minister @Amirabdolahian today. We discussed our shared interest in a stable Afghanistan. I called on Iran to release all arbitrarily detained British Nationals and to return to the JCPOA talks in Vienna. pic.twitter.com/HBX0g1WZsW

— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) September 13, 2021

Amir-Abdollahian on Afghanistan

On his part, Amir-Abdollahian expressed regret over the effects of the wrong policies of the United States and some Western countries towards Afghanistan and said that achieving security and stability in the country depends on establishing an all-inclusive government that ensures the participation of all ethnic groups. 

He also called for peace, meeting public demands, and practical confrontation against terrorism.

Amir-Abdollahian stressed the need to fulfill a sustained international responsibility in the face of new waves of asylum seekers and countering the smuggling of narcotics, referring to the fact that Iran has been hosting over 3 million Afghan refugees over the past four decades.

Iranian Foreign Minister also noted Iran’s readiness to facilitate humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

Vienna talks 

In response to his British counterpart, the Iranian Minister stressed Iran's insistence on lifting all illegal sanctions and said that consultations are underway within the new Iranian government on how to resume the Vienna nuclear talks.

He clarified that the Iranian government will welcome negotiations that have tangible results and serve the rights and interests of the people.

The top Iranian diplomat also stressed that the British government should take trust-building steps to resolve problems in bilateral relations and noted that Iran will welcome any constructive and practical steps by London.

In this regard, the British Foreign Secretary stressed the practical commitment of his country to repay Iran’s dues.

The two foreign ministers also agreed to continue their talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, in addition to discussing the most important international and regional developments.