This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7872525.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| British Council in Iran 'illegal' | British Council in Iran 'illegal' |
| (1 day later) | |
| The Iranian government says the British Council - which has suspended its activities in the country - was operating illegally there. | The Iranian government says the British Council - which has suspended its activities in the country - was operating illegally there. |
| Iran said no contract had been signed with Britain allowing the cultural centre to operate in Tehran. | Iran said no contract had been signed with Britain allowing the cultural centre to operate in Tehran. |
| But the council says its work is fully compliant with international law. | But the council says its work is fully compliant with international law. |
| The UK government expressed "great regret" over the closure and both governments say they are holding talks to try to resolve the situation. | The UK government expressed "great regret" over the closure and both governments say they are holding talks to try to resolve the situation. |
| The British Council announced on Wednesday that its Tehran centre had closed on 31 January. | The British Council announced on Wednesday that its Tehran centre had closed on 31 January. |
| Martin Davidson, the council's chief executive, told the BBC on Wednesday that most of its 16 local employees had been ordered to resign by the office of the Iranian president. | Martin Davidson, the council's chief executive, told the BBC on Wednesday that most of its 16 local employees had been ordered to resign by the office of the Iranian president. |
| Mr Davidson said Iran has also denied visas for British staff for the past two years. | Mr Davidson said Iran has also denied visas for British staff for the past two years. |
| Legal wrangling | Legal wrangling |
| A statement from Iran's embassy in London says: "So far, no contract between the governments of the [Islamic Republic] of Iran and Britain has been signed on the British Council's activities in Tehran and any activities under this name are considered as illegal." | A statement from Iran's embassy in London says: "So far, no contract between the governments of the [Islamic Republic] of Iran and Britain has been signed on the British Council's activities in Tehran and any activities under this name are considered as illegal." |
| I hope the Iranian government will enable the British Council to resume normal operations as soon as possible David MilibandUK Foreign Secretary class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7874633.stm">Read your comments on the story | |
| The two sides were discussing the issue, the statement added. | The two sides were discussing the issue, the statement added. |
| The council said in a statement: "The suggestion by the Iranian authorities that we are operating illegally is unfounded. | The council said in a statement: "The suggestion by the Iranian authorities that we are operating illegally is unfounded. |
| "The British Council has a legal basis to work in Iran and is compliant with international law." | "The British Council has a legal basis to work in Iran and is compliant with international law." |
| "We would very much welcome discussions with the relevant authorities on resuming our work in Iran as soon as possible." | "We would very much welcome discussions with the relevant authorities on resuming our work in Iran as soon as possible." |
| The British Council, while officially an independent non-profit charity, receives a large part of its funding from Britain's Foreign Office. | The British Council, while officially an independent non-profit charity, receives a large part of its funding from Britain's Foreign Office. |
| In a statement issued on Thursday, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "It is a matter of great regret that a country with Iran's culture should reject attempts to break down barriers and build cultural dialogue." | In a statement issued on Thursday, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "It is a matter of great regret that a country with Iran's culture should reject attempts to break down barriers and build cultural dialogue." |
| "The work of the British Council is completely non-political - it is focused on improving the relationship between our two countries by promoting mutual understanding and respect," he added. | "The work of the British Council is completely non-political - it is focused on improving the relationship between our two countries by promoting mutual understanding and respect," he added. |
| Mr Miliband said the British government would continue to promote improved relations between the people of Iran and the UK. | Mr Miliband said the British government would continue to promote improved relations between the people of Iran and the UK. |
| The closure of the British Council in Tehran is the latest flare-up of tension between the two countries. | The closure of the British Council in Tehran is the latest flare-up of tension between the two countries. |
| Last month, Iran warned the BBC's Tehran bureau against contributing to the network's newly launched Farsi language TV channel, which is banned from operating in Iran. | Last month, Iran warned the BBC's Tehran bureau against contributing to the network's newly launched Farsi language TV channel, which is banned from operating in Iran. |
| A major diplomatic row between the two countries erupted in March 2007 when Iran seized a group of 15 British sailors on a navy patrol near the waterway between Iraq and Iran. | A major diplomatic row between the two countries erupted in March 2007 when Iran seized a group of 15 British sailors on a navy patrol near the waterway between Iraq and Iran. |
| The group was held for nearly two weeks before being released. | The group was held for nearly two weeks before being released. |
| Iran has in the past accused Britain and the United States of plotting to overthrow the religious establishment, charges Washington and London deny. | Iran has in the past accused Britain and the United States of plotting to overthrow the religious establishment, charges Washington and London deny. |