Britain revives diplomatic ties with Iran

Britain said on Monday it had revived diplomatic relations with Iran and appointed a non-resident charge d'affaires, two years after an angry mob ransacked the British embassy in Tehran.

The announcement reflects a thaw in relations with the West and comes after Iran and world powers came close to a preliminary agreement about Iran's nuclear program. Britain's Foreign Office said Ajay Sharma, currently the head of the ministry's Iran department, will take up the post immediately. (Reuters)