Embassy of Iran, London
| Embassy of Iran in London | |
|---|---|
_09.JPG) | |
| Location | South Kensington, London |
| Address | 16 Prince's Gate, London, SW7 1PT |
| Ambassador | Hamid Baeidinejad |
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 building, along with the Ethiopian Embassy and the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, is one of a group of Grade II listed stucco buildings.[2]
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.[3] The embassy was severely damaged during the siege and did not re-open until 1993.[3] 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.[4]
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.[5] Between 2011 and 2014, Iranian interests in the UK were represented by the Omani Embassy.[6] Anglo-Iranian relations have improved since the election of President Hassan Rouhani and the countries made plans to re-open the embassy.[7]
On February 20, 2014 the Embassy was restored and the two countries agreed to restart diplomatic relations.[8]
Gallery
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Plaque outside the embassy in 2013
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The embassy in 2008
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The embassy as it appeared after the hostage crisis, 1980
References
- 1 2 3 "The London Diplomatic List" (PDF). 14 December 2013.
- ↑ Historic England, "16 Prince's Gate (1265482)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 14 July 2016
- 1 2 "Iran and the hostage-takers". BBC News. 26 April 2000.
- ↑ Iran paid millions to fund IRA Adrian Levy and Anna Pukas. The Times , 21 Aug 1994
- ↑ "Britain expels Iranian diplomats and closes Tehran embassy". 30 November 2011.
- ↑ "Oman to represent Iran interests in UK". Press TV. 7 December 2013.
- ↑ "Britain revives ties with Iran, two years after embassy attack". 11 November 2013.
- ↑ "Britain Iran resume Diplomatic Ties as Iranian Embassy restored in London". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
