Tuesday 23 June 2009

Britain Orders Tit-for-Tat Diplomatic Expulsions with Iran

Britain Orders Tit-for-Tat Diplomatic Expulsions with Iran
(AFP) Readers Number : 49

23/06/2009 In the latest escalation of tensions between Iran and the West following presidential elections, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced Tuesday that Britain has expelled two Iranian diplomats in a tit-for-tat action after Tehran ordered two British diplomats to leave.

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."

he surprise announcement came after an Iranian foreign ministry source on Tuesday 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 said that London played a key role in fomenting the unrest that has swept the Islamic republic since the June 12 presidential polls.

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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