Simon Gass CMG

As the British Ambassdor to Iran I am glad to welcome you to the website of the British-Iranian Chamber of Commerce.

Britain and Iran share a long and sometimes troubled history. But there are also strong ties between our two countries. Many people in Iran and in Britain have longstanding friendships and links with the other country - whether in the form of business associations, education, shared cultural interests or simply friendships which have grown over many years.

Because of differences between Britain and Iran on the subject of Iran's nuclear programme, there is a UN-backed sanctions regime which limits business links in some areas. That is why the British Government has decided not to promote British exports to Iran at present. If Iran complies with the UN Security Council Resolution, this situation will change. I hope that happens soon, both because of the loss of business opportunities and because business can act as a shock absorber when political relations are at their most difficult.

This does not mean, of course, that there is no significant trade between Britain and Iran - there is. I congratulate those in the business communities of both countries who are able to keep their connections in good working order, despite the obstacles.

I look forward to a time when relations between Iran and Britain make it possible for us to have much closer commercial ties. I do not doubt that the British-Iranian Chamber of Commerce will be at the heart of matters when that day comes.

In the meantime, I wish all visitors to the BICC website prosperity and success in their business ventures.

The British Embassy
A History

The British Mission in Tehran was first established in 1821 in the Bagh-e-Elchi or the Old Bazaar. By the 1860’s, the overcrowding and poor sanitary conditions forced the government to look for a more suitable location. The Ferdowsi site was purchased in a spacious suburb north of the old city at a cost of 20,000 Tomans (about 8,000 Pounds).

Most famous of all the historical events associated with the embassy is the great 'bast' (meaning sanctuary) of July/August 1906 when, during the constitutional struggle, some 12-16,000 Tehranis took sanctuary in the compound and by thus paralysing the life of the city, forced Muzaffar-ud-din Shah to issue his celebrated Farman of 5 August 1906 granting the people a constitution and National Assembly.

Following the Islamic revolution in 1979, the British Embassy was placed under the protection of Sweden. In 1987, all staff were withdrawn from Tehran following a series of setbacks to relations. In November 1988, UK Foreign Minister Geoffrey Howe agreed with Iranian Foreign Minister Velayati to resume diplomatic contact. Staff returned in January of 1989. However, on 14 February 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini issued his fatwa against Salman Rushdie and his publishers. European Community Foreign Ministers agreed to withdraw their heads of mission from Tehran in response. The British Government withdrew all UK-based staff. Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait made it desirable to re-establish relations once more, in September 1990. Relations have continued since then, though the UK and all other EU countries withdrew their heads of mission in April 1997 when a German court issued a verdict that members of the Iranian intelligence services were responsible for the murder of four Iranian Kurds in Germany in 1992. Heads of mission returned in November 1997 following the election of President Khatami, who showed determination to pursue the establishment of a civil society and the rule of law, and to promote wider international understanding. Britain and Iran jointly upgraded the relationship to ambassadorial status in 1999.