Britain's embassy in Tehran re-opens after four years

Philip Hammond watches as the Union Jack flag is raised at the embassy Credit: Laura Lean/PA Wire

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has re-opened Britain's embassy in Tehran after four years, marking a major step in the thawing of relations between the UK and Iran.

As he declared the embassy open and raised the Union Jack flag in the garden of the residence, he said: "Today's ceremony marks the end of one long journey, and the start of a new, and, I believe, exciting one."

A plague marks the re-opening of the British Embassy in Iran's capital Tehran. Credit: Reuters

Earlier, after arriving in the country, Mr Hammond tweeted that his visit was a "historic moment" in relations between the two countries.

Philip Hammond is the first foreign secretary to visit Tehran since 2003. Credit: Reuters

The embassy in the Iranian capital had closed in 2011 after it was stormed by protesters during riots in response to sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear programme.

Huge crowds gathered at the British embassy in Tehran during riots in 2011 Credit: Reuters

Iran has also reopened its embassy in London, as part of a move which it is hoped can aid both countries' efforts to tackle challenges including Islamic State.

Relations with the west have improved significantly since the election of Iran's more moderate president Hassan Rouhani.

Iran's president Hassan Rouhani Credit: Reuters

It has resulted in Iran signing a deal with western powers agreeing to curb its nuclear ambitions in exchange for a lifting of tough sanctions.