The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Iran is the United Kingdom's foremost diplomatic representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and in charge of the UK's diplomatic mission in Iran. The official title is His Majesty's Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran. 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. Initially, diplomatic missions comprised a legation until they were promoted to embassy status in 1943. At various times in history during crises or disputes, Britain has had no diplomatic presence in the country, and has either relied on other nations as protecting powers, or has had a non-resident diplomat. Heads of Mission Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary (1807–1944) 1807–1811: Sir Harford Jones-Brydges, 1st Baronet, envoy extraordinary 1810–1814: Sir Gore Ouseley, Bt, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary April 1814–October 1815: James Morier, Minister Plenipotentiary (ad interim) 13 April 1814: Sir Henry Ellis, Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary (ad interim), in James Morier's absence 1815–22, 1823–26: Henry Willock, chargé d'affaires 1822–23: Major George Willock, deputy chargé d'affaires 29 July 1826: Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, Envoy Extraordinary from Government of India 4 December 1833: Sir John Campbell, appointed to negotiate a treaty 1835–1836: Sir Henry Ellis, ambassador 1836–1842: Sir John McNeill, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary No representation during the Siege of Herat 1844–1854: Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Justin Sheil, secretary of legation February 1836, Head of Mission 1839–44, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary 1844–54 1847–49: Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Farrant, chargé d'affaires 1849, 1853–55: Sir William Taylour Thomson, chargé d'affaires 1854–1855: Sir Charles Murray, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary 1855–1857: No representation due to the Anglo-Persian War 1857–1858: Sir Charles Murray, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary 1858–59: William Doria, chargé d'affaires 1859–1860: Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Rawlinson, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary November–December 1859: Sir Ronald Thomson, chargé d'affaires 1860–1872: Charles Alison, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary April 1872 May–July 1860: Captain (later Colonel Sir) Lewis Pelly, chargé d'affaires November–December 1862: Sir Ronald Thomson, chargé d'affaires December 1862–January 1863: Edward Eastwick, chargé d'affaires 1863, 1869–70: Sir Ronald Thomson, chargé d'affaires April–May 1872: William Dickson, chargé d'affaires 1872–73: Sir Ronald Thomson, chargé d'affaires 1872–1879: Sir William Taylour Thomson, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary 1878–79: Sir Ronald Thomson, chargé d'affaires 1879–1887: Sir Ronald Ferguson Thomson, envoy extraordinary and