Union Jack raised in Tehran
Various dignitaries watched the British flag being raised in the historic 19th-century garden compound while the national anthem was being played.
It reflected the curious relationship both these countries have had. The construction of the embassy compound, to being involved in the establishment of a Parliament in Iran in 1906. The infamous, 1953 coup where its roots of mistrust still echoes with a certain portion in Iran today. Then in 2011, Iranian protesters march through the gates and burned the British Embassy compound.
Today, the grand reception room is still adorned with a graffiti reminder “Death to England.” as the embassy gates are open. It highlights Iran’s strategical importance around the region, as its natural gas reserves are as vast as Russia’s.
Even though there is apparent difference in policy implementation and solving regional politics, it is going to be a low-key mechanism at its expense, as Britain is seen lagging behind in the race for Iran’s 80 million economic consumers and trying to tap on an energy superpower.