Straw arrives in Iran for talks

Jack Straw has visited Egypt, Kuwait and Jordan

Talk of war against Iraq has already marginalised efforts for Middle East peace, Iran's leaders have told UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Karrazzi also argued that American unilateral policies were causing "deep hatred" in the Islamic world.

The warnings come as Mr Straw continues his four-day tour of the Middle East, aimed at garnering support for a tough stance against Iraq.

Arab leaders have made clear their disquiet about possible conflict and in Iran Mr Sraw once again stressed the need for fresh momentum on Middle East peace efforts.

Anger at America

Speaking after meeting the UK minister, Mr Kharrazi said: "We feel the beating the drums of war for Iraq has been reason enough for Palestine to become marginalised.

"This has prepared the ground for Israel to continue its aggressions and its wants, through military might and through force, to solve the issue of Palestine to its own aim."

The Iranian foreign minister said he wanted a peaceful resolution to both the Iraqi crisis and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Straw is on the final stages of his diplomatic mission

He added: "All countries in the Islamic world are against the unilateral policies of the US.

"This has been reason enough for a deep hatred to be felt throughout Islamic countries."

Mr Straw was anxious to quell fears that tackling the alleged threat posed by Iraq meant less attention was given to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

But he stressed the biggest threat posed by Saddam Hussein was to neighbouring countries in the region.

'No oil motive'

"Iraq is in a league of its own both because of what we know it has developed, both chemical and biological, and is developing in a nuclear capacity, and because of what we know of its intentions."

The UK and US were determined to confront build-up of weapons of mass destruction and not engaged in the "sordid pursuit of oil", added Mr Straw.

King Abdullah is among those warning against war

The foreign secretary's visit comes after Tehran finally approved London's nomination for its next ambassador to Iraq.

Earlier in the year, the Iranians had taken the unusual step of turning down Britain's preferred nominee, David Reddaway.

He had been dubbed a "Jewish spy" by sections of the right-wing Iranian press.

The man who was later approved, Richard Dalton, will be in Mr Straw's delegation, eager to take a look at the country where he will be serving when he arrives officially in some weeks' time.

'Rewriting the rules?'

Before the seven-month breach over Mr Reddaway's nomination, Mr Straw had already visited Tehran twice after 11 September last year.

Elsewhere on his tour, Mr Straw has been told of Egypt and Jordan's worries about a possible conflict.

As efforts continued for a new United Nations resolution, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher warned against "rewriting the rules in the middle of the game" on weapons inspections.

And a statement from King Abdullah of Jordan said he hoped Iraq's offers on restarting inspections would help avoid a new Middle East conflict.

Peace drive

Speaking at the end of his talks in Kuwait, Mr Straw said all the nations of the Middle East realised the "evil" nature of the Baghdad regime.

Kuwaiti army chief of staff Major General Ali Al Moumen said his country was ready to defend itself.

But its army was limited by its constitution to a defence role, he said.

More welcome has been given to Mr Straw's reassurance about UK commitment to kick-starting Middle East peace efforts.

He has voiced support for the idea of a new peace conference between leaders in the region "at the appropriate time".