Iran reopened its embassy in London today four years after its closure, in a move that coincided with the reopening of the British embassy in Tehran.
The move is seen as a long-awaited step to thawing relations between the UK and Tehran and follows Iran striking an historic deal to limit its nuclear activity.
Philip Hammond, the foreign secretary, said: “Reopening our embassies is a key step to improved bilateral relations. In the first instance, we will want to ensure that the nuclear agreement is a success, including by encouraging trade and investment once sanctions are lifted. Britain and Iran should also be ready to discuss the challenges we both face, including terrorism.”
The opening of the Iranian embassy in south Kensington, London, was attended by the former foreign secretary Jack Straw, Jane Marriott, the Foreign Office director for the Middle East and North Africa, and Deborah Bronnert, chief operating officer of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Also in attendance was Iran’s charge d’affairs in London, Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, and Mehdi Danesh YHazdi, the deputy foreign minister.
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The embassy has opened initially at charge d’affaires level before an ambassador is installed in the next few months.
Mr Straw told the BBC: “It’s a very important day for relations between Iran the United Kingdom. Relations have always been quite difficult, and they reached a further nadir in 2011, but this is really good news.”
But many hardliners are vehemently opposed to the reopening of the embassies.
Esmaeil Kowsari, the conservative lawmaker, said that reopening the British Embassy in Tehran opened the way for London’s “penetration “into Iran.
The closure of the Iranian embassy in London dates to 2011, after Iran announced that it was expelling the UK’s ambassador in response to UK support for stricter sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme.
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The UK reacted by closing the Iranian embassy in London just weeks later.
The former foreign secretary William Hague proposed the reopening of the embassy in June 2014.
However, the reopening has been hit by a number of logistical issues, according to the Foreign Office.
The reopening of the Iranian embassy in London also comes just after the 35th anniversary of the Iranian embassy siege.
Six Iranian-Arab terrorists took 26 hostages captive at the Iranian embassy in Hyde Park, London.
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Mohammad Jayad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister, welcomed the reopening of the British Embassy, saying that it emphasises Iran’s regional and global importance.
“The world has realised Iran’s constructive role in the region and the globe,” state television quoted Zarif as saying on Sunday. “Of course, we have differences with some European countries but that can be negotiated through interaction, with open eyes and a realistic approach.”