London appoints diplomat to Tehran

The British government said Monday it appointed Ajay Sharma to serve as the charges d'affaires to Iran, a move that restores diplomatic ties severed in 2011. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said his appointment will enable the British government to have a more open relationship with Tehran. "This is very much in the interests of both our countries," Sharma said in a statement. "I hope to make my first visit to Tehran as non-resident charge later this month." The British Embassy in Tehran closed in November 2011 following an attack the British government said was the work of "government-sponsored militias." The Iranian Embassy in London closed as well. The British announcement Monday said Sharma would work to coordinate the eventual opening of the British Embassy in Tehran. The government said he would be based in London but travel regularly to Iran. The British government said in early October both sides agreed to work toward establishing formal diplomatic ties. There was no corresponding statement from the Iranian government.