Iran-UK relations see gradual improvement
By Sara Rajabova
The UK is willing to restore the diplomatic relation with Iran after the Geneva deal between Iran and P5+1 group, which was signed last November.
The British officials have several times voiced intention to re-open British embassy in Tehran, which closed after an attack to the embassy in 2011.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Marzieh Afkham said the relations between Iran and Great Britain are gradually improving after the agreements reached between the two countries in 2013.
Touching upon the damage to the British embassy, Afkham pointed out that there are still many issues to be analyzed and the related negotiations haven't started yet.
The relations between Iran and Britain remained tense for a long time due to disagreements on Iran's nuclear program. The relations were even more complicated by Iran's allegations of involvement of the UK security services in organizing terrorist acts in Tehran on November 29, 2010 that killed a nuclear physicist Majid Shahriari.
The Iranian parliament approved a draft law envisaging a complete break of diplomatic relations with Britain in December 2010.
In October 2013, The UK and Iran agreed on the appointment of charges d'affaires to restore the diplomatic relations which broke off after the British embassy in Tehran was attacked in 2011.
However, the change of power in Iran, and the work on an agreement on Iran's nuclear program has had a positive impact on current relations between the two countries.
Thus, British Foreign Secretary William Hague has recently said "circumstances are right" for the reopening of Britain's embassy in Iran.
Addressing the British parliament in a written statement on June 17, Hague expressed his satisfaction that British embassy staff would be safe in Tehran and that diplomats would be allowed to work without hindrance.
He said the two sides first need to resolve "a range of practical issues" before the embassy can restart operations.
Hague added that the United Kingdom intends to reopen the embassy in Tehran with a small initial presence as soon as these practical arrangements have been made.