Tension over British Council in Iran

By: Mike Bozee

Tension has been mounting as the result of the British Council operating in Iran. The Iranian government claims that the British Council has been operating illegally, despite the council being a non-political body. According to the council's chief executive, the council has suspended all activity and even let go of a handful of employees. The council is an independent non-profit charity aimed at improving relations between Iran and the UK. Despite Iran's mindset toward the council and its activities, the council's chief officer hopes that activities can resume as soon as possible. Some of Iran's tension toward the British Council, however, might be rooted in the fact that Britain is one of the countries urging Iran to comply with UN demands regarding its nuclear program. Until Iran and the British Council resolve their conflicts, this issue will only deteriorate relations between the two nations.