News / Politics

Iran, UK stress fight against terrorism

Thursday, 05 March 2015 10:46 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 05 March 2015 10:46 AM ]

A file photo of terrorist operatives in Iraq

Tehran and London have highlighted the need for cooperation in countering terrorism and extremism amid the rising threat of the ISIL Takfiri terrorist group in the Middle East region.

The issue was underlined in a meeting between a number of senior Iranian officials and Director of Middle East at British Foreign Office Edward Oaken, who was in Tehran on March 3-4 , IRNA reported.

The ISIL terrorists currently control swaths of territory across Syria and Iraq. They have been committing heinous crimes in the captured areas, including mass executions and beheading of local residents as well as foreign nationals.

During his two-day visit, Oaken met with several Iranian officials from the country’s Foreign Ministry, Supreme National Security Council, Parliament (Majlis) and Expediency Council.

The two sides also discussed the necessary measures to accelerate the reopening of the two countries' embassies in their respective capitals.

Iran and the UK officially resumed direct diplomatic ties in February after the two countries severed diplomatic relations in 2011. Tehran and London have appointed non-resident chargés d’affaires as a first step toward reopening their respective embassies.

On November 27, 2011, Iranian MPs voted by overwhelmingly to downgrade diplomatic ties with the UK, in response to Britain's decision to impose new anti-Iran bans.

Following the decision by Iran’s parliament, hundreds of Iranian students staged a protest outside the British Embassy in Tehran, pulling down the UK flag and demanding the expulsion of the British ambassador.

On November 30 of the same year, London cut off its ties with Tehran, withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran and the Iranian Embassy in London was closed.

YH/NN/HMV

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