London (CNN) -- Foreign Secretary William Hague announced plans Tuesday for the United Kingdom to reopen its embassy in Tehran, Iran, which has been closed since an attack by protesters in 2011 triggered a dramatic breakdown in relations. Hague's announcement to Parliament follows a series of steps taken by both nations in recent months to improve ties. In a written statement to lawmakers, he said that, given the progress made, "I have therefore now decided the circumstances are right to reopen our embassy in Tehran. "There are a range of practical issues that we will need to resolve first. However it is our intention to reopen the Embassy in Tehran with a small initial presence as soon as these practical arrangements have been made."
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Foreign Secretary William Hague: "Iran is an important country in a volatile region"
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"The circumstances are right to reopen our embassy in Tehran," Hague tells lawmakers
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The embassy in Tehran was closed after an attack on the site by protesters in 2011
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Britain also shut the Iranian Embassy in London and ordered all Iranian diplomats to leave
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Iranian Embassy
Hague said his two chief concerns in making the decision had been whether UK @placeholder staff would be safe and secure, and whether they would be able to work "without hindrance."