UK Foreign Office Changes Travel Advisory for Iran

The UK Foreign Office has changed its advisory against non-essential travel to all parts of Iran, except for border areas with Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of the border with Turkmenistan, and certain areas in southeastern Iran. In a statement published on Saturday, July 25, it was noted: "The Foreign Office's advice against travel to most parts of the country has been lifted. The advice against any travel to certain border areas and points in southeastern Iran continues." Philip Hammond, the UK Foreign Secretary, stated that this decision was made because the risk of travel to Iran for British citizens has decreased, partly due to a reduction in hostility from Iran towards Britain during Hassan Rouhani's administration. The statement also mentioned that the British embassy in Tehran remains closed and that travelers to Iran should be aware that the support the British consulate can provide is limited. The previous and current travel advisories from the UK Foreign Office regarding travel to Iran: Since the attack by a group of Basijis on the British embassy in Tehran in 2011, the two countries have closed their embassies in London and Tehran, but since 2013 have appointed a non-resident chargé d'affaires. David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister, recently expressed hope for the reopening of the British embassy in Tehran during a phone call with Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran. A member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission has also stated that there is no opposition to the reopening of the British embassy in Iran. According to the Young Journalists Club, Abbasali Mansouri Arani has said: "Currently, it is the English side that insists on reopening its embassy in Iran."