Iran–UK relations on the mend
By Laman Sadigova
It appears now the UK and Iran have finally turned the corner. Following tensed diplomatic relations the UK has extended a hand to Tehran, determined to mend ties and approach the future on a more positive note.
This comes amid reports that Britain stands ready to reopen its embassy in Tehran, under the provision negotiations continue to advance. A diplomatic rapprochement is in the cards.
Britain and Iran are now ready to start afresh. Relations soured after the British embassy in Tehran in 2011 suffered a series of attacks. The incident ultimately put an end to diplomatic relations in between the two countries.
The arrival onto the scene of President Hassan Rouhani and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program has offered a new opportunity to resume ties.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the opening of the British Embassy in Tehran and the Iranian Embassy in London will take time. Indeed, it does take much time. The Iranian delegation had originally planned to visit London in November 2014, but the visit was canceled after a statement on the part of Prime Minister David Cameron at the UN General Assembly, that was deemed anti-Iranian by Iranian officials.
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond expressed his disagreement toward new sanctions against Iran in January 2015. Hammond realizes "the importance of current sanctions but rejects future ones".
While the UK and Iran's relations are on the mend, tensions remain in between Iran and the EU, as both parties have warned they will pull out from all nuclear talks, should negotiations failed to bear fruits.
Stalled negotiations could complicate Iran-Britain relations.
While Iran will unlikely change its position vis a vis Britain when it comes to the reopening of its embassy in London, it is evident Iran could prove a powerful and useful ally to western powers. But of course it all depends on whether or not the EU will agree to ease off sanctions and allow Iran to salvage its ailing economy.
Should the nuclear talks fail, western powers might soon find themselves contemplating yet another military conflict. The idea of entering an open conflict with Iran has actually motivated the EU to return to the negotiating table.
Should all go well, London will slowly resume its relations with Iran and subsequently the EU and the U.S. have agreed to roll back sanctions.
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