'Iraq Crisis Concentrated Minds' On Iran Ties

The agreement to reopen the British Embassy in Iran may not be directly related to the crisis in Iraq, but the improved relationship will help both countries as they seek to contain ISIS.

The Foreign Secretary William Hague announced the move in a written statement to Parliament saying 'Over the past four months, we have continued to expand our bilateral engagement. British and Iranian officials have paid regular visits to one another's capitals...

'Our two primary concerns when considering whether to reopen our embassy in Tehran have been assurance that our staff would be safe and secure, and confidence that they would be able to carry out their functions without hindrance.

'There has never been any doubt in my mind that we should have an Embassy in Tehran if the circumstances allowed. Iran is an important country in a volatile region, and maintaining Embassies around the world, even under difficult conditions, is a central pillar of the UK's global diplomatic approach...'

Once 'practical arrangements' have been made it is thought the UK will send a charge d'affaires to Tehran to work in the reopened embassy along with a small group of staff.

The UK embassy in Tehran closed in 2011 after protests

The Iranians will make similar arrangements in London. If the relationship continues to thaw, its possible ambassadors could be exchanged.

Full diplomatic relations with Iran were suspended after attacks on the British embassy in Iran in 2011.

The election last year of a new President, Hassan Rouhani, has helped create a different atmosphere than the one under his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

This in turn helped to advance the international talks about Iran's alleged nuclear weapons programme.

The gradual rapprochement was already on track, but the crisis in Iraq has concentrated minds and reminded people exactly why it was felt better diplomatic relations were required.

Speaking earlier in Parliament, Mr Hague warned people should not assume too much after his announcement saying: 'There are limits to the relationship.

'We will have a small diplomatic team, and seek to build in stages... there are many areas of difference remaining including the nuclear issue, regional stability, and human rights.'