While not generally open to the public except by special permission, the US Embassy has been put to use over the years as a Middle School and for housing student organizations offices as well as for Basij units of the Revolutionary Guards. It also houses a museum of sorts exhibiting tools and equipment from the "Den of Spies," "Den of Espionage," and "Nest of Spies as the diplomatic compound has sometimes been labeled but less frequently these days. Also a large mural with anti-American graffiti surrounds the lobby staircase but as an acquaintance noted, can quickly be painted over.
Clean up work is being done of the exterior walls and the painted "Death to America", "Great Satan," "criminals," "corrupt," "arrogant," and "anti-Koran," signs have virtually disappeared.
The rationale for opening both Iran's and America's embassies is compelling and goes back to the reasons for The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 of which 190 countries are signatories. Embassies contribute to the achievement of international peace and security and facilitate the work, cultural exchanges, business, travel, and development of both countries.
To paraphrase Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond at a ceremony the other day here in Tehran to mark the reopening of the British embassy, while Iran reopened its embassy in London, removing the barriers from the Iranian and American embassy is the logical next step for our countries. And it will build confidence and trust between two great nations. This observer submits that both Iranian and American people are ready and should direct our leaders accordingly.
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