London to Adhere to Commitments under Nuclear Deal with Tehran: Hammond
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond made assurances that his country will remain committed to its obligations under a recent agreement reached between Iran and six world powers, including Britain, over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.
Speaking in a Monday meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Hammond praised the growing trend of bilateral relations between Tehran and London, saying that the recent agreement between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) will help improve the relations.
The nuclear deal can rebuild cultural and historical ties and boost cooperation between the Iranian and British nations, he said.
He further emphasized that the reopening of the British and Iranian embassies in Tehran and London on Sunday is an important symbolic gesture, which will lead to effective dialogues and confidence building measures between the two countries.
The British foreign secretary added that the development will provide an opportunity for the two countries to better understand each other's positions.
The British embassy in Iran reopened on Sunday after a 4-year closure. Simultaneously, Iran’s embassy in London also resumed its diplomatic activities.
On Saturday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for American and European Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi had said Tehran and London still have no plans to appoint ambassadors.
The status of non-resident charge d’affaires of the two countries will change into resident, the Iranian diplomat said, adding that the British embassy will only issue “diplomatic and service visas” after being reopened.
The thaw in Iran-Britain relations follows finalization of a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and the Group 5+1 on July 14.