David Miliband, foreign secretary, has warned Iran that the UK government will maintain a tough stance on Tehran's nuclear ambitions, insisting that the Iranian regime "doesn't have the right to set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East".

In his first interview since becoming foreign secretary 10 days ago, Mr Miliband told the Financial Times that Iran "has every right to be a secure rich country" - and the west was making a "very clear offer" that would allow Iran to develop the civil nuclear power it needed.