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 . '' Hague said his two chief concerns in making the decision had been whether UK Embassy staff would be safe and secure , and whether they would be able to work `` without hindrance . '' He added , `` There has never been any doubt in my mind that we should have an embassy in Tehran if the circumstances allowed . Iran is an important country in a volatile region , and maintaining embassies around the world , even under difficult conditions , is a central pillar of the UK 's global diplomatic approach . '' The assault by student protesters on the UK Embassy and a separate diplomatic compound in Tehran in November 2011 prompted outrage in the United Kingdom and led Britain to close the embassy 's doors and withdraw all its staff from Iran . Britain also closed the Iranian Embassy in London and ordered all Iranian diplomats to leave . The protest in Tehran was sparked by anger at UK sanctions imposed against Iranian institutions over Iran 's nuclear program . The embassy buildings should have been guarded by Iranian security officers . Since the election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani last year , there 's been a more positive tone to Iran 's interactions with the West . That relationship has taken on a new significance in light of the current crisis in Iraq , where Sunni militants have seized vast swaths of territory . Iran , a majority Shiite nation , is an ally of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki 's Shia-led government and has said it would provide help if asked . The United States , whose formal relations with Iran ended after the 1979 takeover of its embassy there , now faces the politically unpalatable option of cooperating with Tehran to stop gains by the militant group , the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria ( ISIS ) . The United States and Iran held `` very brief discussions '' about Iraq and the threat posed by ISIS in Vienna , Austria , on Monday , State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said . Deputy Secretary of State William Burns is in Vienna for nuclear talks with Iran . CNN 's Carol Jordan and Elaine Ly contributed to this report .
Foreign Secretary William Hague : `` Iran is an important country in a volatile region '' `` The circumstances are right to reopen our embassy in Tehran , '' Hague tells lawmakers . The embassy in Tehran was closed after an attack on the site by protesters in 2011 . Britain also shut the Iranian Embassy in London and ordered all Iranian diplomats to leave .