Iran will pursue the issue of its UN envoy appointee: diplomat

Iran will pursue the case of its UN envoy appointee through the UN Secretariat and will contact the UN secretary general in this respect, the Iranian deputy foreign minister for European and American affairs told the Mehr news agency in an interview published on Sunday.

Majid Takht-Ravanchi said that Iran can take action on the issue through the mechanisms anticipated by the UN.

The United States said on Friday it would not give a visa to Iran’s proposed UN ambassador, who was involved in seizure of the U.S. embassy in 1979.

Hamid Aboutalebi has said that he acted as an interpreter for the group who held the hostages.

Takht-Ravanchi went on to say that this issue has nothing to do with the U.S.-Iran relations and the UN should pursue the case, adding that Swiss Ambassador to Tehran Giulio Hass, whose country represents the U.S. interest section in Iran, will be probably summoned to the Foreign Ministry in protest to the U.S. move.

Commenting on Iran-Britain relations and reopening of embassies in London and Tehran, Takht-Ravanchi said that Iran’s non-resident chargé d’affaires to Britain, Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, will make a trip to London within the next week.

On November 27, 2011, Iranian lawmakers voted by a large majority to downgrade diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom, in response to Britain's decision to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran over the allegation that Iran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

The decision by Iranian MPs followed a demonstration in Tehran outside the British embassy during which the UK flag was pulled down.

On November 30 of the same year, London cut off its ties with Tehran, withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran and the Iranian Embassy in London was closed.

Takht-Ravanchi also stated that the Austrian President, Heinz Fischer, will make a trip to Iran in near future.