Britain expels Iranian diplomats

24 Jun 2009, 11:21 am   -   Source: AFP
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Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that Britain was expelling two Iranian diplomats in a tit-for-tat action after Tehran ordered two British diplomats to leave.

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Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that Britain was expelling two Iranian diplomats in a tit-for-tat action after Tehran ordered two British diplomats to leave.
  
In the latest escalation of tensions between Iran and the West following disputed presidential elections, Brown denounced the "unjustified" step by the Islamic republic.
  
"It is... with regret that I should inform the House (of Commons) that Iran yesterday took the unjustified step of expelling two British diplomats over allegations that are absolutely without foundation," he told lawmakers.
  
"In response to that action we informed the Iranian ambassador earlier today that we would expel two Iranian diplomats from their embassy in London," he added.
  
And he said: "I am disappointed that Iran has placed us in this position but we will continue to seek good relations with Iran and to call for the regime to respect the human rights and democratic freedoms of the Iranian people."
  
Briefing reporters after Brown's remarks, a Downing Street spokesman said that Iran's ambassador to London had been summoned to its foreign office around lunchtime to be informed of the decision to expel two Iranian diplomats.
  
It was understood that the Iranians had ordered the two Britons to leave Tehran for "activities inconsistent with their diplomatic status" -- traditionally, code for spying.
  
The Foreign Office dismissed this suggestion. "We believe the Iranian decision to expel two members of staff from the British embassy is baseless," said a spokeswoman.
  
"We think the government of Iran is seeking to blame the UK and other outsiders for what is an Iranian reaction to an Iranian issue.
  
"This has a potential impact on our staff safety and is unacceptable. We have taken the decision to reciprocate."
  
The surprise announcement came after an Iranian foreign ministry source earlier denied that the country's ambassador to London had been recalled, amid mounting tensions between Tehran and London.
  
Iran has accused Britain, and other Western governments, of meddling over the election that returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power and manipulating the subsequent unrest.
  
Iranian student unions called off a planned demonstration outside the British embassy in Tehran on Tuesday to protest at London's "interference" after it was banned by the Iranian authorities.
  
Centuries-old mistrust of British interest in Iran welled up once more as Iranian leaders alleged that London played a key role in fomenting the unrest that has swept the Islamic republic since the June 12 presidential polls.
  
Iranian authorities have fired off a number of accusations against the British government, prompting London to warn its nationals against travel to Iran and to pull out the families of embassy staff.
  
Amid the heightened tension, Britain's foreign office warned its nationals Monday against "all but essential travel to Iran" following "large-scale demonstrations" and "violent clashes."
  
It also said it is withdrawing the families of embassy staff "until the situation improves."
 

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