Britain orders Iran embassy closed in row
Iranian protesters (R) wave a flag that reads "Oh Hussein", refering to the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, as they stand on the wall of the US embassy in Tehran on November 29, 2011. More than 20 Iranian protesters stormed the British embassy in Tehran, removing the mission's flag and ransacking offices. AFP PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Germany recalls its ambassador to Iran for ‘consultations’ over raid in Tehran
LONDON, Wednesday
Britain has ordered the closure of the Iranian embassy in London and has shut its mission in Tehran after it was attacked by protesters, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Wednesday.
He also accused the Iranian government of involvement in Tuesday’s attack, saying it was “fanciful” to suggest that it could not have stopped the mob.
However, he said the embassy closures did not represent a formal severing of ties between Britain and Iran, but simply a downgrading to the “lowest level”.
Mr Hague was speaking to parliament the day after protesters rampaged through two British diplomatic compounds in the Iranian capital, one of which contained its embassy, tearing down the British flag and setting documents alight.
“The Iranian charge (d’affaires) in London is being informed now that we require the immediate closure of the Iranian embassy in London and that all Iranian diplomatic staff must leave the United Kingdom within the next 48 hours,” he announced, to sounds of support in the chamber.
“If any country makes it impossible for us to operate on their soil they cannot expect to have a functioning embassy here.”
To ensure the safety of British staff in Iran, “we have now closed the British embassy in Tehran”, Hague added.
“We have decided to evacuate all our staff and, as of the last few minutes, the last of our UK-based staff have now left Iran.”
Meanwhile, Germany today recalled its ambassador to Iran for “consultations” over what it called the “unacceptable” storming of the British embassy by protesters.
“In light of yesterday’s events in Tehran, Foreign Minister (Guido) Westerwelle decided that the German ambassador in Iran should be recalled to Berlin for consultations,” a ministry spokesman said in a brief statement. (AFP)
