TEHRAN – London has officially named Hugo Shorter the new Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Islamic Republic of Iran, succeeding Simon Shercliff, the former British envoy.

Shorter has spent several years in different roles within the British Foreign Ministry, including his position as the British Ambassador to Lebanon from 2015 to 2018. His background also includes serving as Chargé d'Affaires at the UK Embassy in Afghanistan.

During his tenure in Lebanon, Shorter witnessed the rise of Lebanese Resistance movement Hezbollah. 

It is still not clear whether Iran will be granting agrément to Shorter.  

This appointment comes at a particularly tense time as hostilities between Iran and Israel appear to be escalating.

Recently, tensions heightened dramatically following Iran's launch of over 180 ballistic missiles targeting Israeli military sites in response to the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh. 

The situation has further intensified as Israel’s military operations in Lebanon continue to target Hezbollah.