British Premier David Cameron said that he was committed to rebuilding diplomatic relations with the Iranian government.
Speaking a day after the British High Commission in Tehran was reopened, Cameron said it was right that both countries should engage in "greater dialogue" and seek to improve relations on a "step-by-step" basis, adding that the deteriorating situation in Iraq, “is not a reason for not taking that step", but that he would proceed with a "clear eye and hard head".
His comments come as ISIS militants in Iraq moved closer to the capital Baghdad, with Iran providing military assistance to the Iraqi government.