London ready to talk to Iran

LONDON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The British government is ready to negotiate with the Iranians about their nuclear ambitions provided Tehran responds in kind, the foreign secretary said.

The European and U.S. governments increased pressure on the Iranian government through economic sanctions that target the Iranian Central Bank and elements of the country's energy sector.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said sanctions are a means to an end, however.

"Our objective remains a diplomatic solution that gives the world confidence that Iran's nuclear program is for purely peaceful purposes," he said in a statement. "We are ready to talk at any point, if Iran puts aside its preconditions and returns to negotiations."

Concerns were raised that there were military dimensions to the Iranian nuclear program, which Tehran maintains is for peaceful purposes.

Hague added the weekend deployment of the HMS Argyll battleship to the Strait of Hormuz was a "routine movement."

Western allies have suggested there may be a military response should Iran choose to close key oil shipping lanes in the strait.

U.S. President Barack Obama, during his State of the Union address Tuesday, said he'd "take no options off the table" to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.