Britain, Iran announce first envoys in 5 years

Iran and Britain appointed ambassadors to each other’s countries for the first time since a mob ransacked the British embassy in Tehran in 2011, on Monday. Hamid Baeidinejad, 53, was named as Tehran’s envoy to London, ISNA state news agency reported. He played a crucial role in the negotiations with world powers that led to last year’s nuclear accord and the lifting of international sanctions.

Britain appointed Nicholas Hopton – the current charge d’affairs in Tehran – as its first ambassador to Iran since relations were severed, following the storming of the embassy by students in five years ago.

“The upgrade in diplomatic relations gives us the opportunity to develop our discussions on a range of issues, including our consular cases about which I am deeply concerned,” British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said, referring to the detention of dual nationals in Iran. 

“I hope this will mark the start of more productive cooperation between our countries, enabling us to discuss more directly issues such as human rights and Iran’s role in the region, as well as ongoing implementation of the nuclear deal and the expansion of the trading relationship between both our countries,” said Johnson.

The 2011 attack on the embassy saw a mob rampage for hours through the compound, tearing down the British flag, ripping up pictures of Queen Elizabeth II and trashing offices.