Dominic Raab flies to emergency Brussels talks on Iran crisis

The first test of Britain's post-Brexit diplomatic capabilities kicked off in Brussels today as the Foreign Secretary met for emergency talks with his European counterparts to find a joint way forward on unfolding the Iran crisis.

Dominic Raab held meetings with the French and German foreign ministers, as well as the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell, to work out the details of the united front on the issue the powers want to present.

The sensitive talks broke up as night fell on Brussels with little to show in public, though the Foreign Office described the meetings as "productive".

The foreign ministers are understood to have discussed how, if at all, they should react to expected retaliatory Iranian breaches of the JCPOA nuclear deal, which the European powers still stand behind despite Donald Trump's repudiation.

The countries want to enforce Iran's compliance with the deal, but are keen not to escalate the situation in the wake of the assassination of general Qasem Soleimani, which has thrown relations into chaos. Talks are understood to have focused on the balance to strike.

A separate meeting also took place involving Mr Raab's Italian counterpart on the ongoing situation in Libya, where where the EU earlier this week warned of an "imminent" escalation of violence in the environs of the country's capital Tripoli.

The format of talks, which are taking place outside the usual structures of the European Union's council system, will likely become more familiar after Britain leaves the EU at the end of the month and can no longer directly influence EU positions from the inside.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Raab said: "What we're looking to do is de-escalate the tensions with Iran and with relation to Iraq, making sure that we don't lose the hard-won gains that we've secured against Daesh.

"We are concerned that if we see a full blown war it will be very damaging and actually the terrorists, in particular Daesh will be the only winners.

He said the European countries were searching for a "diplomatic breakthrough" and said he had spoken to prime minister of Iraq and the Iranian foreign minister.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “E3 foreign ministers had a useful and productive discussion about the latest developments in Iraq, Iran and Libya”.

Also on Tuesday European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen called for the US and Iran to "halt the cycle of violence" and said Brussels would host a special Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Friday. The UK will be allowed to attend the meeting, but will be locked out once it has left the EU in February.

"We are deeply concerned by Iran’s announcement that it will not respect the limit set by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) any longer," she added.

"This announcement comes at a time of severe tensions in the region. From a European viewpoint, it is important for Iran to return to the nuclear deal. We have to convince Iran that it’s also in its own interest.

"After the devastation wrought by Da’esh, Iraq is developing well and its people deserve to see the continuation of progress towards reconstruction and greater stability. Iraq deserves to stay on the path of balance and reconciliation. We call on all parties to show restraint."