Iran’s ambassador was called to London by UK Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer. Tehran: Citing a deteriorating security situation as tensions rise in the wake of Iran’s deadly crackdown on rallies and growing rumors of potential US military action, the UK temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran and withdrew all diplomatic personnel.
“We have temporarily closed the British Embassy in Tehran,” the UK Foreign Office announced on Wednesday (local time). This will now function remotely. It also stated that the current security situation was the reason for the withdrawal of British personnel. The decision was made during a period of increased insecurity in the area, and there are rumors that US President Donald Trump is thinking about taking military action against Iran.
The United States’ intention to remove part of its people from the largest US military facility in the Middle East, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, was followed by the UK’s statement. Iran’s diplomatic ties with European nations have gotten worse recently. The British envoy to Iran was called to a heated meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday, along with a number of other European diplomats, according to sources.
Hamish Falconer, the UK’s Middle East Minister, called Iran’s ambassador to London on Tuesday in reaction to that development. In a different interview with Fox News, Araghchi kept a conciliatory tone despite the escalating tensions, stating that Iran was “ready for negotiation” and has been for the last 20 years. He urged Washington to seek a diplomatic solution instead of using force, saying, “Diplomacy is much better than war.” At the same time, the Iranian foreign minister accused terrorist organizations of being responsible for the country’s turmoil and claimed it was a part of a “Israeli plot” to “drag (Trump) into the conflict.”
