British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in a visit to Saudi Arabia that the "Iranian regime claims that it is being bullied by the West into giving up its right to peaceful nuclear energy. We believe that is nonsense – our concern is over the risk that they will develop nuclear weapons".
He added, "I welcome the way in which Saudi Arabia has clearly and publicly stated that they share this concern. As a leading voice in the Islamic world, Saudi Arabia is a vital part of the international diplomatic effort with regard to Iran."
referring to a Middle East free of WMD, the Foreign Secretary said, "at the same time, we share the objective that the whole Middle East Region, including Israel, should be free of Weapons of Mass Destruction".
Playing down talks of a drift among the international community over Iran's nuclear programme in an interview with the BBC, Straw said that "at every level the international community was "more united in its concern to ensure full compliance by the Iranians".
Speaking to BBC radio's Today programme during his visit to Saudi Arabia, he rejected claims that the US and Europe were at odds over the issue of military action against Iran.
He acknowledged the difference over whether force could theoretically be used, but said "in practice both the Americans and Europeans, the Russians and Chinese are committed to finding a diplomatic solution to this issue".
Mr Straw went on to say that he expected the issue to return to the security council after the 28 April deadline has passed.
"We are working on the basis that Iran will not meet the proposals from the security council within the 30-day deadline," he said.
"Negotiating with the Iranians takes a kind of rondo form, so you never quite know what is going to happen.
"But what is most likely to happen is that the matter will move back to the security council and there will then be discussions about the next steps which the international community will take.
"They have responded more than I think people see. For example, they were threatening total withdrawal from the operation of the inspectors - that hasn't actually happened.
"I think Iran is feeling some of the pressure, as well as its president making belligerent statements."
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