SRINAGAR: Iran has ordered a Swedish diplomat to leave the country within 48 hours, a day after Sweden expelled an Iranian embassy official in a dispute over alleged security-related activities.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it had summoned Sweden’s ambassador in Tehran, Mathias Otterstedt, and informed him that a Swedish diplomat would be expelled in response to Stockholm’s decision, state news agency IRNA reported.
Tehran rejected Sweden’s allegations as “baseless” and condemned the expulsion of its diplomat, describing the Swedish action as “unjustified”.
The Iranian ministry accused Stockholm of violating international law and interfering with the normal functioning of the Iranian Embassy. It also alleged that Sweden was pursuing “hostile policies” towards Iran and providing a platform to individuals and groups opposed to the Iranian government.
The ministry said Iran would take measures to safeguard its rights and national interests, including through the principle of reciprocity.
Sweden announced on Wednesday that it had expelled an official from the Iranian Embassy after summoning Iran’s ambassador. The Swedish government said the diplomat had been asked to leave over “activities that are not compatible with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations”.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the decision was taken to protect Swedish citizens and Swedish interests.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said Iran had “for a long time been conducting security-threatening activities in and against Sweden”.
The reciprocal expulsions mark a further deterioration in diplomatic relations between Tehran and Stockholm, with both sides defending their actions on grounds of national security and diplomatic obligations.
