Tuesday, March 14 2006 11:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Britain has said the door to a negotiated solution to Iran's nuclear issue would 'reopen' if Tehran respects the requests of IAEA, but warned that if the country continues to defy international community, the UN Security Council 'would respond.'

"UN Security Council involvement does not mean the end of our efforts to find a negotiated solution; but rather it marks a new phase in diplomatic efforts. If Iran is prepared to respect the requests of the IAEA in full, then the door to a negotiated solution will reopen," Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in his address on 'Iran: The Path Ahead' at the International Institute for Strategic Studies here yesterday(Mar 13,2006).

"Russia has made constructive proposals, which we welcome, and which would allow Iran access to the full fuel cycle, whilst allowing a period for international confidence to be restored. But Iran should also be under no doubt that if it continues to defy the wishes of the international community, the Security Council will respond," he said.

"I am confident that all members of the Council will want to send out an early signal of political concern about Iran's activities and call on Iran to respect the wishes of the Board of Governors of the IAEA," he said.

"Now, if the Iranian regime chooses not to heed the concerns of the international community, it will damage the interests of the Iranian people. Political uncertainty is already affecting business confidence, with the Tehran stock exchange losing value, and much capital leaving the country," he added.