British PM to hold first direct talks with Iran president since 1979

British Prime Minister David Cameron will hold face-to-face talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in what would be the first such high-level meeting between the two countries since 1979. Cameron’s office said on Tuesday the meeting will take place at the sidelines of the United Nations summit in New York. During their meeting, Cameron will urge Rouhani to join an international campaign against Islamic State (IS) jihadists.

We are under no illusion about the dangers of Iran’s nuclear programme and our approach on that is not changing. However, if Iran is willing to join the international community to defeat Isil, then we will work with them on that.

A Downing Street source

The planned talks come after rare direct talks between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. The approaches to Tehran reflect a determination by Western leaders to enlist the support of powers in the region against IS. Cameron vowed to destroy the group after its militants killed British aid worker David Haines and threatened further British hostages earlier this month.Tehran, long isolated due to tensions over its nuclear programme, rejects Western accusations that it hopes to develop nuclear weapons, insisting its programme is peaceful.

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