Douglas Alexander MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, responding to the latest P5+1 talks, said:

“Resolving the Iranian nuclear issue is a key priority for the international community and so the positive tone of the highest level talks in six years between Iran and the P5+1 representatives should be welcomed.

“World leaders gathered today in New York have welcomed Iran’s significant change in tone during the recent discussions. Now scoping discussions must give way to substantive negotiations.

“A clear time frame for these negotiations could help build trust and confidence between Iran and the international community.

“Efforts must now be focused on making further progress ahead of the next round of nuclear negotiations in October so that momentum can be maintained.

“Iran must be encouraged to play a more constructive role in the international community and the UK government should be doing more to help facilitate this change in the weeks and months to come.

“That is why Labour have called on the government to commit to re-opening the British embassy in Tehran as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so.”