Liz Truss warns Iran has ‘last chance’ to strike deal over nuclear programme

Liz Truss has warned Iran has a “last chance” to strike a deal over its nuclear programme – amid claims that Israel and America are ready to launch attacks.

The British foreign secretary said: ”This is really the last chance for Iran to sign up and I strongly urge them to do that because we are determined to work with our allies to prevent Iran securing nuclear weapons.

“So they do need to sign up to the JCPOA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) agreement, it’s in their interests to do so.”

Her speech to the Chatham House think tank came as Benny Gantz, the Israeli defence minister held talks in Washington with White House advisors.

Reuters claims one option discussed included a simulated bombing raid to destroy Iran’s nuclear programme.

Truss added: “We will also work night and day to prevent the Iranian regime from ever getting a nuclear weapon.“

Elsewhere in her speech the foreign secretary spoke of her “partnership” deal with Israel.

She said:”In my 12 weeks as Foreign Secretary, we’ve already secured partnership agreements with 7 countries – from Greece to Israel to Malaysia.“

Truss also outlined her belief in a network of democratic nations who she said believed in liberty.

She said: “Hostile forces are using disinformation to undermine truth. Extremists are perpetuating malign ideologies through social media. Autocratic regimes are using this maelstrom of militancy, mistrust and misinformation to gain the upper hand.“

Talks to persuade Iran to return to the 2015 deal limiting is nuclear programme began in Vienna on Thursday.

European diplomats said on the eve of the talks that some factions in Iran wanted to pull out of the nuclear deal.

Earlier this year it emerged that Tehran had begun to enrich uranium to around 60 per cent purity. This was closer than ever to the 90 per cent needed for a nuclear device.