Foreign Secretary William Hague has said plans to re-open the British Embassy in Tehran are an “important step forward” in relations with Iran.
Mr Hague said the “circumstances were right” following an improvement in bilateral relations in recent months.
Full diplomatic relations with Iran were suspended after attacks on the British embassy in Iran in 2011.
The election of a new Iranian president and a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme has led to renewed contacts this year.
The move comes as Iraqi forces are engaged in heavy clashes with Sunni Islamist militants across the country and amid reports that Iran is providing military assistance to its historic rival.
The US is deploying up to 275 military personnel to protect staff at its huge embassy in Iraq. . .