This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27882932

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UK is set to re-open Iran embassy UK is set to re-open Iran embassy
(35 minutes later)
Foreign Secretary William Hague will announce a plan on Tuesday which will lead to the re-opening of the British embassy in Iran's capital, Tehran.Foreign Secretary William Hague will announce a plan on Tuesday which will lead to the re-opening of the British embassy in Iran's capital, Tehran.
Full diplomatic relations with Iran were suspended after attacks on the British embassy in Iran in 2011.Full diplomatic relations with Iran were suspended after attacks on the British embassy in Iran in 2011.
The election of a new Iranian president and agreement on how to deal with Iran's nuclear programme has warmed diplomatic relations.The election of a new Iranian president and agreement on how to deal with Iran's nuclear programme has warmed diplomatic relations.
Mr Hague is expected to take questions from MPs at 11:30 BST.Mr Hague is expected to take questions from MPs at 11:30 BST.
The shared interest in confronting Isis militants in Iraq has accelerated contacts between the West and Iran. The move comes as Iraqi government forces are engaged in heavy clashes with Sunni Islamist militants who have made major advances in the past week.
The shared interest in confronting militants led by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has accelerated contacts between the West and Iran.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said William Hague spoke to Iran's foreign minister over the weekend.BBC political editor Nick Robinson said William Hague spoke to Iran's foreign minister over the weekend.
'More constructive''More constructive'
Robinson said he understood that the statement - a written one to MPs at 09:30 BST- would not lead to the instant re-opening of the embassy and that it would be conditional on diplomatic progress being maintained.Robinson said he understood that the statement - a written one to MPs at 09:30 BST- would not lead to the instant re-opening of the embassy and that it would be conditional on diplomatic progress being maintained.
He said the election of Hassan Rouhani as president last year, regarded as much more moderate than his predecessor, had been an important step towards improving relations between Iran and the West.He said the election of Hassan Rouhani as president last year, regarded as much more moderate than his predecessor, had been an important step towards improving relations between Iran and the West.
Events in Iraq had given this gradual process of detente a "mighty great shove", he added.Events in Iraq had given this gradual process of detente a "mighty great shove", he added.
Sir William Patey, a former British ambassador to Iran, said it was potentially a "very significant moment" for dealings between the two countries.Sir William Patey, a former British ambassador to Iran, said it was potentially a "very significant moment" for dealings between the two countries.
He told BBC Radio's 4 Today programme that there had been an improvement in diplomatic relations over recent months following Iran's agreement to scale back its nuclear programme earlier this year.He told BBC Radio's 4 Today programme that there had been an improvement in diplomatic relations over recent months following Iran's agreement to scale back its nuclear programme earlier this year.
'Bigger enemy'
The current turmoil in Iraq meant there also was a "short-term congruence of interests" that made the move more likely and which could also lead to what he described as "arm's-length" military co-ordination between Tehran, Baghdad and Washington.The current turmoil in Iraq meant there also was a "short-term congruence of interests" that made the move more likely and which could also lead to what he described as "arm's-length" military co-ordination between Tehran, Baghdad and Washington.
"There is a prospect of having a more constructive relationship with Iran because there is a bigger enemy - which is Isis," he said. "Iran is often seen as the enemy and has seen us as the enemy," he said.
"Against a backdrop of an improving relationship with the prospect of a nuclear deal, there is a prospect of having a more constructive relationship with Iran because there is a bigger enemy - which is Isis."
However, he warned the "potential for falling out with Iran is always very high".However, he warned the "potential for falling out with Iran is always very high".
The storming of the British embassy in 2011, in retaliation for UK support for sanctions against Tehran, was one of series of incidents in the past decade that have ratcheted up tensions between the countries.
In 2007, 14 Royal Navy sailors were detained by the Iranian authorities after they were accused of violating Iranian territorial waters.
The appointment of a UK-based British charge d'affaires to Tehran last year was seen as a sign of a thaw in relations and paving the way for the possible re-opening of the embassy.
Former foreign secretary Jack Straw, who led a parliamentary delegation to Iran earlier this year, has said that Mr Rouhani wanted Iran "to come in from the cold".
However, the UK government still has concerns about Iran's role in Syria, where it is supporting the government of Bashar al-Assad in its fight against rebel groups and its backing for Hezbollah in Lebanon.