Iran calls for UK goodwill gesture

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In an interview with the Financial Times he said: "We played our part and we showed our goodwill.

"Now it is up to the British Government to proceed in a positive way."

The 15 service personnel arrived back in the UK on Thursday after being held captive in Iran for 13 days following a dispute over territorial waters

While he said the release was not linked to any other case - including that of five Iranians held by the Americans in Iraq - he added: "If they [the British] want to be helpful and use their influence we will welcome that ... We will welcome in general any steps that could defuse tensions in the region."

He also called for Britain to increase its links with Iran following the 13-day crisis.

"We believe it is the right time for the British Government to affirm its willingness to establish sensible lines of communication with Iran," he said.

He called for the West to "glean the fruits" of the decision to release the captives, including the permanent members of the UN Security Council accepting what Iran sees as its right to enrich uranium for non-military purposes.

He said: "That's the prime issue for Iran and I think that could help set a new basis for our future relations with western countries."