Britain, Iran appoint envoys to restore bilateral ties

The UK today appointed a seasoned Indian-origin diplomat as its non-resident Charge d'Affaires in Iran even as Tehran named its envoy to London in order to restore diplomatic ties severed in 2011.
Ajay Sharma's appointment will enable the UK to have more detailed and regular discussions with Iran on a range of issues, including conditions under which our Embassies could eventually be reopened, UK's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Mr Sharma will take up his appointment immediately," the statement said.
Sharma has significant experience of Iran and the region. He is currently Head of Iran Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and served previously as Deputy Head of Mission in Tehran.

"I am delighted to take up this appointment at this important time in the UK's relations with Iran. I am very much looking forward to renewing direct UK contact with the Iranian Government and society," Sharma said on his appointment.
"This is very much in the interests of both our countries. I hope to make my first visit to Tehran as non-resident Charge later this month," he said.

Meanwhile, in Tehran Fars news agency quoted Iran's foreign ministry spokeswoman as saying "Mohammad Hassan Habibollah-zadeh will travel to London in the near future to examine the situation of Iran's possessions and buildings in Britain and to improve consular activities."

UK's Foreign Secretary announced on October 8 that the UK and Iran had agreed to appoint non-resident Charge d'Affaires as an important step towards improving the bilateral ties.
The UK ordered the closure of Iran's embassy in London after closing its own in Tehran following the storming of the compound by hundreds of angry Islamist students in November 2011 during a demonstration against sanctions imposed by Britain over its controversial nuclear plans.
Iran and world powers, including the UK, failed to clinch a deal on Tehran's nuclear programme yesterday after an intense three-day diplomatic effort in Geneva, dashing hopes to end the decade-old standoff.