Britain, Iran to Resume Full Diplomatic Ties

British Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe today said that his government will resume full diplomatic relations with Iran and that negotiators for the two sides would work out the details.

In London, Iranian Charge d’Affaires Mohammad Basti, the only accredited diplomat from his country in Britain, said, “Full diplomatic relations are to be restored and we hope it will be at (the) ambassadorial level.”

Britain pulled its diplomats out of Tehran last year after one of its envoys was beaten and kidnaped in apparent reprisal for the arrest in Manchester of an Iranian consul on shoplifting charges.

Caretaker Status

The British diplomat, Edward Chaplin, was released 24 hours after his abduction in Tehran on May 28, 1987. Britain accused Iran of unacceptable behavior and downgraded relations to caretaker status on June 18, 1987.

While the two countries did not completely break diplomatic ties, relations were severely strained and only the Iranian charge d’affaires was allowed to remain in London.

British interests in Iran have been looked after since by the Swedish Embassy.

Howe, referring to the holding of hostages by pro-Iranian forces in Lebanon, said there was “no connection between the decision and any other matters.”

The British move follows signals from Iranian leaders that their government was interested in improving relations with Western countries. The United States, however, has stood apart from the trend which includes a recent restoration of ties between France and Iran and improvements in Italian, West German, Canadian and Turkish relations with Tehran.