Although Britain and Iran (originally Persia) did not enter into formal diplomatic relations until 1807, British and Iranians had been in informal contact since the early 17th century when the East India Company developed trade links with the Persian kingdom.
[1] Initially, diplomatic missions comprised a legation until they were promoted to embassy status in 1943.
Nonetheless, a small detachment of British personnel maintained a presence at the Swedish Embassy.
[10] On 11 November 2013 the UK government appointed a non-resident chargé d'affaires to Iran.
On 23 August 2015 the UK embassy in Tehran was reopened and the Chargé d'affaires moved to be resident there.