Embassy of the United States, Tirana

Embassy of the United States, Tirana
Location	Tirana, Albania
Address	Rruga Stavro Vinjau 14, Tirana, Albania
Coordinates	41°19′12″N 19°49′37″E
Website	https://al.usembassy.gov

The Embassy of the United States in Tirana is the diplomatic mission of the United States of America in Albania.

History

The United States and Albania first established diplomatic relations in 1922, when Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Ulysses Grant-Smith presented credentials to the government of Albania in Tirana on December 4, 1922. During the Italian invasion of Albania in 1939, the relations ceased. Following World War II, with Albania under a Communist regime, it became one of the most isolated nations globally. Relations with the United States were dormant until the death of Enver Hoxha and the onset of political reforms in Albania.[1]

Diplomatic relations were reestablished on March 15, 1991. Albania received an invitation to join NATO in April 2008.[1]

On March 15, 2008, U.S and Albanian munitions experts who were planning on destroying stockpiles of obsolete ammunition set off a series of explosions that caused 26 deaths.[2] The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted in investigating the incident.[3] In July 2022, a cyberattack targeting Albania led to the expulsion of Iranian diplomats in September of the same year. The United States, following an investigation, supported Albania's assertion that Iran was responsible for the attack.[4]

Architecture

The U.S. Embassy in Tirana is situated in an Italian colonial-style building constructed in the 1920s, originally designed as the first Department of State-built embassy structure.[5]

See also

• Albania–United States relations
• Embassy of Albania, Washington, D.C.
• List of ambassadors of the United States to Albania
• United States Ambassador to Albania

References

1. "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Albania". history.state.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
2. Powell, Mike. "The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
3. "2008 Press Releases | Tirana, Albania - Embassy of the United States". Tirana.usembassy.gov. April 11, 2008. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
4. "Albania cuts Iran ties over cyberattack, U.S. vows further action". reuters.com. Reuters. September 7, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
5. "U.S. Embassy Tirana, Albania". diplomacy.state.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2023.