World

Britain to reopen embassy in Iran after four-year closure

August 20, 2015 14:58
Foreign secretary Philip Hammond

ByNaomi Firsht, Naomi Firsht

1 min read

The UK is set to reopen its embassy in Tehran after a four-year closure.

Foreign secretary Philip Hammond will reopen the embassy in the Iranian capital this weekend. At the same time, the Iranian embassy in London will also re-open.

The UK embassy in Tehran was shut in November 2011 after activists protesting against British sanctions stormed the building, burned the British flag and looted property.

This development marks a warming of Iran-UK relations and comes following the July agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme.

The last British foreign secretary to go to Tehran was Jack Straw in September 2001.