The formal announcement by Foreign Secretary William Hague in the House of Commons on June 16 that the United Kingdom will reopen its embassy in Tehran is suggestive of the thawing of relations between the two countries. The process has been doubtless speeded by the current situation in the Middle East where Iran and the western bloc led by the United States, find themselves on the same side of the conflict in Iraq where jihadists from the rebel group Isis are in control of parts of the country.
Britain had closed its embassy in Tehran following the storming and ransacking of its premises by protestors in 2011. It conducted its bilateral affairs through the Swedish and Omani embassies till November last year when it appointed a non-resident Chargés d’Affaires for Iran.
Mr. Hague said that the regular contacts between the two capitals since then saw the expansion of the bilateral engagement.
“Our two primary concerns when considering whether to reopen our embassy in Tehran have been assurance that our staff would be safe and secure, and confidence that they would be able to carry out their functions without hindrance,” said Mr. Hague. “ Iran is an important country in a volatile region, and maintaining embassies around the world, even under difficult conditions, is a central pillar of the UK's global diplomatic approach.
Iran is expected to take reciprocal steps by reopening its embassy in London. Mr. Hague said that he has been in touch with his Iranian counterpart on “our common interest in continuing to move forward in the UK-Iran bilateral relationship.”
Meanwhile the Home office has taken steps to proscribe Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) by preparing a draft order that will be passed in the House of Commons on June 19.
Immigration & Security Minister James Brokenshire said in a press statement: "We condemn all acts of terrorism committed in Syria, where the conflict poses a growing threat to UK, regional and international peace and security.
"Proscription is a useful weapon in the armoury at the disposal of the Government, police and security service to disrupt terrorist activity and protect the UK.
In addition to Isis, the order extends to the following four groups : Turkiye Halk Kurtulus Partisi-Cephesi (THKP-C); Kateeba al-Kawthar (KaK); Abdallah Azzam Brigades, including the Ziyad al-Jarrah Battalions (AAB/ZJB); and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC).
The four groups operating in Syria that are already proscribed are: al Nusrah Front (as part of Al Qa'ida), Hizballah's Military Wing, Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and Ansar al-Islam (also known as Ansar al Sunna).
