In the past week, the United Kingdom's embassy in Tehran has been stormed by protesters. The demonstrators are furious at the government of David Cameron taking a hard line on and a leading role in forcing sanctions on Iran over the nature of its nuclear programme.
The images of angry demonstrations against any embassy in Tehran is most troubling, given the memories of what happened at the US diplomatic compound there during the Islamic Revolution. Quite clearly, regardless of the implications or intent of any nation's foreign policies, the principle of diplomatic sanctuary and sovereignty of missions is inviolate and rightfully recognised and enshrined in international law, conventions and treaties.
The government of Iran is honour and duty-bound to protect the British consular property and personnel. Because Iran has failed in its duties, London is justified in closing down Iran's embassy in the UK and in urging the intensification of economic sanctions by its EU partners against Tehran.
Further such actions by the Tehran street mob will only serve to further isolate Iran from the international community. And for that, the Tehran government has only itself to blame for failing to protect the British mission in the first place.
