DUBLIN, 3 March, 2021 (TON): Iran is to re-open its embassy in Tehran to re-establish its diplomatic presence in Iran, Ireland’s FM Simon Coveney announced on Tuesday.

"A Diplomatic Mission will be established this year, to be headed at Charge d'Affaires level, with a commitment to re-open an Irish Embassy in 2023," Coveney said in a statement posted on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The decision was made keeping in view Ireland’s efforts to double the country’s global impact by 2025 under a Global Ireland strategy, he said.

"As an elected member of the Security Council, it is particularly important that we have the ability to engage in more depth on the range of Middle East issues on the Security Council's agenda," he said.

"The re-establishment of an Irish presence in Tehran is a concrete sign of our commitment to deepen dialogue with all relevant partners, including Iran, on this issue," Coveney said.

The issue he referred to was Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the nuclear program of Iran.

"Ireland is fully committed to the success of that agreement, and the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons,” he added.

In 2012, Ireland closed its embassy in Tehran due to the impact of the financial crisis.

Ireland took up its seat as an elected member of the UN Security Council for a two-year term starting from 1 January, 2021.