UK–Iran Relations: Is Diplomacy Still Possible? An Interview with Eleanor McNamara

UK–Iran relations remain tense over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and regional security. In this interview, political activist El McNamara shares her views on the state of diplomacy between London and Tehran, the role of the IAEA, and what could be needed to rebuild trust and reopen meaningful negotiations.

1. UK–Iran relations have become increasingly strained over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security. How would you describe the current state of diplomatic relations between London and Tehran?

Research: UK Government – UK statement on a negotiated settlement with Iran https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/a-negotiated-settlement-is-the-only-long-term-solution-to-the-th reat-posed-by-irans-nuclear-programme-uk-statement-at-the-un-security-council

The arrogance of this statement beggars belief. Britain has over 140 military bases across 42 countries and territories worldwide yet it wants to lecture the Islamic Republic about ‘escalation’. Britain’s bombardment of Syria in 2015 marked the 139th separate British military intervention abroad since the end of the Second World War and the 50th British military intervention in West Asia and North Africa in the same period.

Yet the UK government wants to talk about upholding agreements and obligations? The audacity is astonishing. Is it any wonder that the IR has not allowed the IAEA in to inspect, considering it is a UN aligned institution, where the US and UK hold veto power on any substantive matters? Britain has no credibility on these matters, considering Tony Blair published dossiers presenting unverified, speculative intelligence about Iraqi WMDs prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the UK government has never been held to account for its genocidal ‘War on Terror’.

The 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal was the most comprehensive inspection regime in nuclear history and the IR fully complied, yet the US withdrew in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. The IR owes the UK nothing.

2. Despite the tensions, the UK continues to say that a negotiated solution is possible. What would need to happen for meaningful diplomacy to resume between the UK and Iran?

Research: UK Government – Return to diplomacy and de-escalation

Britain has a long history of undermining the sovereignty of independent nations – Iran being one of them. Any diplomatic agreement or de-escalation will be short-lived and designed to stall. The UK government does not want the Islamic Republic to survive as a beacon of anti-imperialism that leads a Resistance Axis, capable of dismantling ‘Israel’ and defending the Ummah, in conjunction with its partners in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon etc.

Without the IR, the Palestinians would be even more isolated and ‘Israel’ would have carte blanche to continue with its genocidal rampage. The IR represents the last line of defence for humanity. The UK will only be satisfied if Iran completely liberalises and pivots entirely away from its defence of Palestine and hostility towards ‘Israel’.

The statement reads ‘Iran should address the international community’s longstanding concerns over her nuclear programme by returning to negotiations, cooperating fully with the IAEA, and restoring full transparency on her nuclear programme, including her safeguards obligations.’ Why should the IR do anything that the UK government demands? The UK will defend the ‘Jewish state’ at all costs.

It’s why its government and British institutions are waging a war on their own citizens, whether it be criminalising them, debanking them or going after their livelihoods for opposing its support for ‘Israel’. The IR needs to develop the nuclear deterrent for the sake of world peace and should worry less about its relationship to Western countries whose international influence and credibility has long been waning.

3. How central is Iran’s nuclear programme to the future of UK–Iran relations, and what role could cooperation with the IAEA play in rebuilding trust between Iran and Western governments?

Research: UK Government – UK, France, Germany and US statement at the IAEA https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/implementation-of-the-npt-safeguards-agreement-in-iran-quad statement-to-the-iaea-board-of-governors-september-2026

‘Israel’ with the blessing of the US, France, Germany and the UK has assassinated many of the Islamic Republic’s top scientists as well as military, intelligence, and security officials in the last few years, not to mention the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and over 120 children in the Minab school catastrophe.

These are belligerent nations who have no respect for international law or human rights. Why would the Islamic Republic wish to worry about UK-Iran relations and rebuilding trust? Western governments want to see the Islamic Republic destroyed; its influence in the region, as well as its diplomatic relations with other states such as China and Russia are a threat to ‘Israel’ and therefore, a threat to the West.

This is why the UK government has proscribed the IRGC, participated in direct military engagements and coalition strikes in the Red Sea against Ansar Allah and why the US conducted strikes in Iraq and Syria this year. RAF Typhoons based in Cyprus actively engaged in combat over Iraqi and Syrian airspace and have unconditionally defended ‘Israel’ and the UK government has allowed the US to use its domestic military bases to launch bombing campaigns on Iran.

These are actions designed to undermine and destroy the IR; any talk of diplomacy or rebuilding trust are a smokescreen and should be ignored. The IR needs to build a nuclear deterrent otherwise it can expect the belligerence to continue. ‘The West’ is not interested in a strong Islamic Republic with an independent foreign policy and a nuclear arsenal capable of defending Al Aqsa and the Ummah. It will do anything to prevent that from happening.

4. The UK has recently introduced tougher sanctions on Iran. How might these measures affect UK–Iran relations, and can economic pressure and diplomacy realistically work alongside each other?

Research: Reuters – UK introduces tougher sanctions on Iran GOV.UK – Iran nuclear sanctions guidance

No I do not think they can at all. Any talk of diplomacy by the UK government is posturing and should not be taken seriously. The UK and EU confirmed after the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 regarding international sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile programme, which expired in 2023 that it would not lift sanctions on Iran which is a violation of International Law.

Since 2023 the E3 has pushed aggressive measures against Iran relating to ‘undeclared particle traces’, which are designed to further isolate Iran within the international arena. The E3 also initiated the ‘snapback mechanism’ which has meant that all the pre 2015 embargoes, oil restriction financial blockades etc, were re-implemented. These are not actions that reflect nations serious about ‘diplomacy’.

5. Iranian and UK officials have continued to discuss the importance of keeping diplomatic channels open. How important are these direct channels at a time when trust between the two countries is so limited?

Research: Recent reporting in August 2026 said Iran’s ambassador to Britain and UK Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty discussed maintaining diplomatic channels and continuing consultations.

Of course de-escalation and diplomacy are favourable but the IR needs to continue deterring British belligerence. They should use the international arena such as the International Court of Justice to challenge illegal sanctions and continue to use uranium enrichment as leverage.

The IR should strengthen the Axis of Resistance and its regional alignment with anti-Zionist forces, utilising geographic chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz as a mechanism to force the ‘West’ into compliance. Keep the diplomatic channels open, yes, but do not abandon pursuing a strategy of deterrence; Israel must be dismantled and the Islamic Republic must survive and endure.

6. Looking ahead, what would a realistic diplomatic framework between the UK and Iran look like, and what issues would London and Tehran need to address first to move UK–Iran relations towards greater stability?

Research: UK Government – Prime Minister’s response to the US-Iran peace agreement https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-response-to-the-peace-deal-between-the-united-state s-and-iran-14-june-2026

I think any diplomatic framework between the UK and Iran would have to be independent of the US and Israel. The UK would need to demonstrate that it is pursuing an independent foreign policy that acknowledges that ‘Israel’ is committing a genocide and its total isolation is the only way forward.

The UK would have to cease assisting the US with its bombing campaign and insist its bases will not be used to launch attacks on the Islamic Republic and its allies. To restore stability, international law will need to be respected and the UK would need to demonstrate leadership in this area. Considering its long history of ignoring and disrespecting international law, the Islamic Republic should not hold out hopes that the UK is going to pivot.

Short of a serious and organic domestic political movement developing in the UK, that is capable of winning power and therefore re-orientating the UK’s relationship with the rest of the world, the Islamic Republic should continue to view the UK government with skepticism and hostility.