The British embassy in Iran has been temporarily closed as tensions continue to simmer in Tehran.
A spokesman told Politico: “We have temporarily closed the British Embassy in Tehran, this will now operate remotely.
“Foreign Office travel advice has now been updated to reflect this consular change.”
An official confirmed Britain’s Ambassador and all consular staff were evacuated based on a security assessment and a decision to prioritise staff safety.
Iranian police stand guard in front of the British Embassy in Tehran
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GETTY
Members of the Basij volunteer Islamic militia in front of the British Embassy in Tehran | GETTY
The move comes as Iran’s leadership tries to quell the worst domestic unrest the Islamic Republic has ever faced, and with US President Donald Trump threatening to intervene.
Britain and the United States withdrew some personnel from bases in the Middle East after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbours it would hit American bases if Washington strikes.
Italy has strongly renewed an appeal to its citizens to leave Iran because of the security situation in the country, the Foreign Ministry in Rome said earlier today.
There are around 600 Italians in Iran, most of them in the Tehran area, it added.
A group of Iranian students burn the US flag during a protest in front of the British embassy
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REUTERS
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FROM TEHRAN
President Donald Trump told reporters he had been told that killings in Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests were subsiding.
He added he believed there was currently no plan for large-scale executions, even as tensions between Tehran and Washington remained high.
More to follow…
