This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-15908525
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Iran parliament votes to downgrade relations with UK | Iran parliament votes to downgrade relations with UK |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Iran's parliament has voted by a large majority to downgrade diplomatic relations with the UK. | Iran's parliament has voted by a large majority to downgrade diplomatic relations with the UK. |
| The move comes after the UK Treasury imposed sanctions on Iranian banks on Tuesday, accusing them of facilitating the country's nuclear programme. | The move comes after the UK Treasury imposed sanctions on Iranian banks on Tuesday, accusing them of facilitating the country's nuclear programme. |
| Iranian radio reported some MPs chanted "Death to Britain" during the vote, which was approved by 87% of MPs. | Iranian radio reported some MPs chanted "Death to Britain" during the vote, which was approved by 87% of MPs. |
| The move needs approval by Iran's Guardian Council, which vets all legislation, before it can take effect. | The move needs approval by Iran's Guardian Council, which vets all legislation, before it can take effect. |
| Parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani warned that the chamber was "observing the behaviour of this country [Britain], and it is the beginning of the road," Iranian state media reports. | |
| The vote could lead to the expulsion of the British ambassador in Tehran, Dominick Chilcott, who was only appointed to the post last month. | The vote could lead to the expulsion of the British ambassador in Tehran, Dominick Chilcott, who was only appointed to the post last month. |
| Britain's Foreign Office said that it would be "regrettable" if Iran were to downgrade ties. | Britain's Foreign Office said that it would be "regrettable" if Iran were to downgrade ties. |
| Relations between Iran and the UK have been worsening amid rising tension over Iran's nuclear programme. | Relations between Iran and the UK have been worsening amid rising tension over Iran's nuclear programme. |
| The sanctions announced by Chancellor George Osborne on Tuesday cut off all UK financial ties with Iranian banks. | The sanctions announced by Chancellor George Osborne on Tuesday cut off all UK financial ties with Iranian banks. |
| Mr Osborne said there was evidence that Iran's banks were funding its nuclear programme. | Mr Osborne said there was evidence that Iran's banks were funding its nuclear programme. |
| That decision followed a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency that suggested Iran was working towards acquiring a nuclear weapon. | That decision followed a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency that suggested Iran was working towards acquiring a nuclear weapon. |
| Iran says its nuclear programme has entirely peaceful ends. | Iran says its nuclear programme has entirely peaceful ends. |