Embassy of Iran, London

Embassy of Iran in London
Location South Kensington, London
Address 16 Prince's Gate, London, SW7 1PT
Ambassador N/A - closed

The Embassy of Iran in London is the diplomatic mission of Iran in the United Kingdom.[1] It is located in a terrace overlooking Hyde Park in South Kensington, Westminster, London, next to the embassy of Ethiopia.[1] Iran also maintains a Consular Section at 50 Kensington Court, South Kensington.[1]

The embassy was the location of the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in which members of the Iranian-Arab nationalist group the Democratic Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Arabistan seized the building for several days before being overrun by the SAS.[2] The embassy was severely damaged during the siege and did not re-open until 1993.[2] According to Dr Mir Ali Montazam, one-time first secretary at the embassy, the sale of artwork from the building played a key part in funding the Provisional IRA during the Troubles.[3]

Following the 2011 attack on the British Embassy in Iran the British government expelled all Iranian embassy staff and closed the embassy in protest, alleging government support for the attack.[4] Between 2011 and 2014, Iranian interests in the UK were represented by the Omani Embassy.[5] Anglo-Iranian relations have improved since the election of President Hassan Rouhani and the countries made plans to re-open the embassy.[6]

On February 20, 2014 the Embassy was restored and the two countries agreed to restart diplomatic relations.[7]

Gallery

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The London Diplomatic List" (PDF). 14 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Iran and the hostage-takers". BBC News. 26 April 2000.
  3. ↑ Iran paid millions to fund IRA Adrian Levy and Anna Pukas. The Times , 21 Aug 1994
  4. ↑ "Britain expels Iranian diplomats and closes Tehran embassy". 30 November 2011.
  5. ↑ "Oman to represent Iran interests in UK". Press TV. 7 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "Britain revives ties with Iran, two years after embassy attack". 11 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Britain Iran resume Diplomatic Ties as Iranian Embassy restored in London". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 21 February 2014.

External links

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