Hague: 'Circumstances right' to reopen Embassy in Iran

Foreign Secretary William Hague has told MPs that "circumstances are right" to re-open the British embassy in Tehran.

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Foreign Office still advises against travel to Iran

William Hague might have announced the reopening of the British embassy in Tehran today, but the Foreign Office is still advising people against traveling to the Middle Eastern country.

The Foreign Office advises against travelling to Iran. Credit: FCO

The Foreign Office currently advises "against all but essential travel" to most of the country, and "against all travel" to the eastern parts of Iran near the borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan.

People planning to travel to Iran should check the Foreign Office travel advice regularly and sign up for email alerts on the security situation, the spokesperson said.

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Staff need to be 'safe and secure' before reopening Iran embassy

The Secretary of State William Hague has issued a statement on the possible reopening of the British embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran:

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.

There are a range of practical issues that we will need to resolve first.

However it is our intention to reopen the Embassy in Tehran with a small initial presence as soon as these practical arrangements have been made.

– William Hague

Hague plans to reopen British embassy in Tehran

William Hague has announced that Britain wants to reopen the British embassy in Iran as the West looks to normalise relations to help ease the crisis in neighbouring Iraq.

The Foreign Secretary told MPs that "circumstances are right" to re-open the British embassy in Tehran.

Protesters break down the British emblem from the Tehran embassy in 2011. Credit: Parspix/ABACA/PA

Mr Hague said he had discussed a number of matters in a meeting yesterday, including the situation in Iraq, with Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.

The UK has had no diplomatic presence in Tehran since a mob ransacked the British embassy in 2011.

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