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| Blair addresses US Iraq inquiry | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Tony Blair is giving evidence by video link to the US inquiry into future policy options, a day after urging Iran and Syria to join the "push for peace". | |
| The session with the Iraq Study Group is private, but the prime minister is thought to be repeating those calls. | |
| He said a partnership was possible if Iran stopped supporting terrorism and abandoned its nuclear ambitions. | He said a partnership was possible if Iran stopped supporting terrorism and abandoned its nuclear ambitions. |
| The ISG is thought to be considering encouraging Iran and Syria to take a role in bringing stability to Iraq. | The ISG is thought to be considering encouraging Iran and Syria to take a role in bringing stability to Iraq. |
| President Bush addressed the group, headed by former US Secretary of State James Baker and expected to report within weeks, on Monday. | President Bush addressed the group, headed by former US Secretary of State James Baker and expected to report within weeks, on Monday. |
| 'Axis of Evil' | 'Axis of Evil' |
| But he indicated later that there would be no softening on policy towards Iran and Syria - countries he once described as being part of an "Axis of Evil". | But he indicated later that there would be no softening on policy towards Iran and Syria - countries he once described as being part of an "Axis of Evil". |
| In his speech to the Lord Mayor's Banquet on Monday night, Mr Blair accused Iran of exploiting what he called "pressure points" in the region - Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine - in a bid to thwart international efforts to rein in its nuclear programme. | In his speech to the Lord Mayor's Banquet on Monday night, Mr Blair accused Iran of exploiting what he called "pressure points" in the region - Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine - in a bid to thwart international efforts to rein in its nuclear programme. |
| It would be a mistake, I think, to imagine that in the next few weeks these countries are going to turn around and say: 'Oh yes, we will help you out in Iraq' William HagueShadow foreign secretary 'No softening' on Iran, Syria What Iran and Syria want | It would be a mistake, I think, to imagine that in the next few weeks these countries are going to turn around and say: 'Oh yes, we will help you out in Iraq' William HagueShadow foreign secretary 'No softening' on Iran, Syria What Iran and Syria want |
| He said partnership was possible if Iran helped the Middle East peace process, stopped supporting terrorism in Lebanon or Iraq and abided by their international obligations. | |
| Otherwise it faced isolation, he said. | |
| 'Bullying' language | |
| There has been no official response from the Iranian government, but Sadegh Ziba Kalam, professor of politics at Tehran University, said Mr Blair's "bullying" language had disappointed many Iranians. | |
| "Mr Blair was actually threatening the Iranian leader," he said. | |
| "That wasn't at all the gesture and atmosphere of the talks that one expects when one is trying to seek a conciliatory atmosphere." | |
| President Bush met the ISG on Monday | |
| He said both Washington and the British government needed to recognise the Islamic regime in Iran. | |
| "Unless there is a change of attitude, I honesty don't see how any positive steps can be taken towards solving the crisis in Iraq," he said. | |
| Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the BBC it was sensible to invite Iran and Syria to talks "on the right terms". | Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the BBC it was sensible to invite Iran and Syria to talks "on the right terms". |
| But he added: "It would be a mistake, I think, to imagine that in the next few weeks these countries are going to turn around and say: 'Oh yes, we will help you out in Iraq'. | But he added: "It would be a mistake, I think, to imagine that in the next few weeks these countries are going to turn around and say: 'Oh yes, we will help you out in Iraq'. |
| "Then other things are going to have to happen to bring internal stability to Iraq and, I think, build a group of countries far beyond Iran and Syria - Turkey and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt - to work together in trying to stabilise Iraq." | "Then other things are going to have to happen to bring internal stability to Iraq and, I think, build a group of countries far beyond Iran and Syria - Turkey and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt - to work together in trying to stabilise Iraq." |
| He added later that the prime minister "must give a frank assessment of the situation in Iraq to Parliament when he speaks tomorrow". | |
| Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell agreed Iran and Syria had a role to play, but said it "is galling that the prime minister will outline his ideas regarding a strategy change to the Baker Commission, when the government has refused Parliament the same opportunity". | Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell agreed Iran and Syria had a role to play, but said it "is galling that the prime minister will outline his ideas regarding a strategy change to the Baker Commission, when the government has refused Parliament the same opportunity". |