World

Too soon for 'illogical' US to return to Tehran: Iran

Foreign minister says it seems there needs to be a change in the attitude and behavior on the part of the US

Reuters August 23, 2015

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) and his British counterpart Philip Hammond walk during a joint press conference in Tehran on August 23, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

TEHRAN: Iran's foreign minister said on Sunday it was too early to talk of reopening the US Embassy in Tehran, as Britain restored its diplomatic mission four years after protesters ransacked the British ambassador's residence.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond attended a ceremony at the opulent 19th century building in the Iranian capital where attackers in 2011 burned Britain's national flag, slashed portraits of British monarchs and stole goods.

Pleased to announce the re-opening of the British Embassy in #Tehran. Important milestone in improved relations. pic.twitter.com/Gfu8PnB3P1
— Philip Hammond (@PhilipHammondUK) August 23, 2015

Read: Britain reopens embassy in Tehran

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, asked if Tehran would now countenance a restoration of the US diplomatic mission, said the United States' "illogical attitude" towards Iran meant the time was not ripe for a similar move with Washington.

"It seems that there needs to be a change in that kind of attitude and behavior on the part of the US so the situation is different with the US," he said.

The US embassy was sacked in the early days of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 by students who feared a repeat of a 1953 coup, when the CIA orchestrated the overthrow of Iran's prime minister. The ensuing US hostage crisis lasted 444 days and Washington and Tehran have yet to restore diplomatic ties.

Read: Britain lifts Iran travel warning

Iran reopened its embassy in London on Sunday in a reciprocal move that followed a deal on Iran's disputed nuclear programme reached last month with six major world powers, including Britain and the United States.

US President Barack Obama has promised to exercise his veto if the US Congress, dominated by Republicans opposed to the deal, rejects the agreement, which would start the process of lifting a raft of sanctions which have hurt Iran's economy.