In diplomatic breakthrough, UK to re-open Iran embassy

LONDON, (Reuters) – Britain plans to re-open its embassy in Iran, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said yesterday, saying it would soon establish a small initial presence in Tehran two and a half years after a mob ransacked its embassy there.

The announcement comes after the United States, a close ally of Britain, said it could launch air strikes and act jointly with its arch-enemy Iran to shore up the Iraqi government after a rampage by Sunni Islamist insurgents across Iraq that has scrambled alliances in the Middle East. “I have … now decided the circumstances are right to reopen our embassy in Tehran,” Hague said in a written statement to parliament. Hague said he had discussed the matter with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday.