The Iranian non-resident chargé d’affaires to Britain has announced Iran and the UK are in talks to discuss the full reopening of the embassies of both countries in the near future.

Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh told ICANA on Friday that diplomatic efforts and negotiations are ongoing for the opening of the UK embassy in Tehran.

He added that the Iranian embassy in London is now delivering consular services to Iranians in the UK, adding that all the other sectors of the embassy will become active in the near future.

In November 2011, Iranian lawmakers voted by a large majority to downgrade diplomatic ties with the UK in response to Britain's decision to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran over the allegation that Tehran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Two days after the decision by the Iranian Majlis, hundreds of Iranian students staged a protest outside the British embassy in Tehran, pulling down the UK flag and demanding the expulsion of the British ambassador.

Following the incident, UK announced on in November 2011 that it is withdrawing its diplomatic staff from Iran and that the Iranian embassy in London would be closed.

Nearly two years after their diplomatic ties were severed, Iran and Britain agreed in October 2013 to appoint non-resident chargés d’affaires as a first step toward reopening their respective embassies.

On February 20, Tehran and London officially resumed direct diplomatic relations.