June 20-2014
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Tuesday that “circumstances are right” for reopening Britain’s embassy in Iran, which was closed in November 2011 after hardliners overran the building and ransacked it.
But Hague said more had to be done with Iran before the embassy would even partially re-open and did not give any dates.
Hague told Parliament in a written statement he is satisfied that British embassy personnel would be safe in Tehran and that diplomats would be allowed to work without hindrance.
He said “a range of practical issues” has to be resolved before the embassy can begin operations again and full consular services would not be offered at first.
“It is our intention to re-open the embassy in Tehran with a small initial presence as soon as these practical arrangements have been made,” he said. “Inevitably, the initial embassy presence will only able to offer a limited range of services at first. For the time being, Iranians will still need to apply in Abu Dhabi or Istanbul for visas for travel to the UK. “
Hague said he spoke with Iran’s foreign minister Saturday about taking more steps to improve relations.
In February, Iran partially reopened its embassy in Britain, offering consular services only. Hague said he expects Iran’s government to “take steps” to expand its embassy operation in London.