Almost four years after protesters stormed the United Kingdom Embassy in Iran, triggering a drastic breakdown in relations, Britain is restoring its diplomatic presence in Tehran.
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“This is a vast emerging market to open up, a vast frontier market: Iran is potentially something of an energy superpower”, Norman Lamont, a former British finance minister who now chairs the British Iranian Chamber of Commerce, told Reuters.
The decision of mutually reopening diplomatic missions from the two countries came following the recently reached deal between Iran and the world powers’ group on Iran’s nuclear program, which had led to UN sanctions.
The deal has sparked a flurry of interest from countries seeking to re-connect with the oil-rich Islamic republic, whose 78 million population is also seen as a largely untapped market for other industries.
Iran will simultaneously reopen its embassy in London with Deputy Foreign Minister in Financial and Executive Affairs Danesh Izadi.
He labelled the occasion “the logical next step” in building “confidence and trust between two great nations”.
“We must go on to tackle the common challenges we face together: terrorism, regional stability, the spread of ISIL in Syria and Iraq, trade in illegal narcotics, and migration”, he added.
Hammond’s visit is the first time a British foreign secretary has visited Iran since 2003, and only the second since the U.S.-backed shah was overthrown in the 1973 Islamic Revolution.
The UK expelled Iranian diplomats from London.
“Iran’s goal is to have good relations with the rest of the world”, Zarif was cited as saying on the radio bulletin.
The British embassy re open in Tehran after four years, Thenewstribe.com learnt from global media.
British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, who arrived in Tehran on Sunday, presided the reopening ceremony.
Hammond said the embassies initially would function at the charge d’affaires level, but ambassadors should be agreed within months.
“Our relationship has improved since 2011”, Hammond said as quoted by the Belfast Telegraph, stating that the election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and the conclusion of the nuclear agreement last month were important milestones.
Mr Hammond said Iran was an “important” country in a volatile region and the embassy would play a vital role in improving relations.
The economic delegation accompanying him to Tehran has had good discussions with the Iranian side. “Today we have entered a new stage of ties based on mutual respect, policy of constructive interaction and dialogue”, he said.
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Iranian protesters stormed two British diplomatic compounds in Tehran in November 2011, smashing windows, torching a auto and burning the British flag in protest against sanctions imposed by London.
