Tonight:
8°c
Tit-for-tat actions strain diplomatic relations with Iran
Ben Bailey24.06.09
Diplomatic relations with Iran remained under severe strain today after two British diplomats were ordered to leave the country - prompting retaliatory expulsions by the UK
The tit-for-tat action further fuelled tensions with Iran - which has singled out Britain for blame for the unrest on the streets of the Tehran in the wake of the disputed presidential election.
The regime accused the pair of "activities inconsistent with their diplomatic status" - usually code for spying, a claim which Prime Minister Gordon Brown said was "entirely without foundation".
The dependants of British diplomats are already being evacuated from the Iranian capital and the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the country.
Amid pressure to take a harder stance on Iran, US President Barack Obama condemned the "unjust actions" of Iranian security forces, but reiterated his intention not to be seen to be meddling.
"The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, beating and imprisonments of the last few days. I strongly condemn these unjust actions and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost," he told a press conference.
"I have made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is not at all interfering in Iran's affairs."
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week accused "the evil British government" of interfering in the June 12 election.
And at the weekend foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki, said Britain had "plotted against the presidential election for more than two years".
"We witnessed an influx of people before the election. Elements linked to the British secret service were flying in in droves," he said.
Mr Brown told MPs the Government would "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".
But he said two Iranian officials had been ordered to leave the country as a direct response. Both sets of diplomats have been given a week to pack their bags.
Before announcing the retaliatory move, the premier had defended his decision to speak out in the wake of the violence meted out to demonstrators in the Iranian capital.
"When there is a sign of repression or where there is violence that's affecting ordinary people in the streets we have a duty to speak out and to say we want Iran to be part of the world, we don't want Iran to be isolated from the world.
"But that requires Iran to say it's taking seriously these issues we are raising with them and other countries are raising with them."
Conservative leader David Cameron said the expulsion of the British diplomats was "clearly not acceptable" and backed the retaliatory measure.
The Foreign Office said the Iranian decision was "baseless" and appeared to be part of policy of blaming Britain - which its spiritual leader last week named "the most evil" of Western nations - for the unrest.
"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."
Protests in Tehran were muted yesterday after the regime deployed further riot police and militia Iran's ruling clerics also made clear there would be no re-run of the election that saw Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected and set up a special court to deal with hundreds arrested protesters.
Reader views (8)
It does seem that Crash Gordon and his David Vanilliband are out of their reach. Britain is really relegated with them "in power" to the minor league in international politics and Iran is just in a very powerful position. Crash Gordon has never been elected PM and that is not something forgotten by Iran.
- Georgie, Islington, London
McMitty is playing tough-guy catch-up with Obama - what a berk!
- Ted, London
This does appear to be escalating into a major international incident. How lucky are we that we have our overseas interests repesented by a political giant like Milly Bland! LOL!
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
Those spin and waffle merchants in Downing Street certainly know how to TRY and cover up the real issues of the day - LIKE MP's EXPENSES.
WHY are British troops sacrificing their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan? The answer is simple: O I L. Wealth. Money.
WHY does the UK attempt to con the world that everything in the UK is wonderful?
THE UK IS WORSE THAN ANY BANANA REPUBLIC.
THE REAL PROBLEM IS - PARASITES LIKE MEDDLESUM THINK AND BELIEVE THAT QUEEN VICTORIA IS STILL ON THE THRONE - AND, COUPLED WITH THE LIKES OF JACKBOOT STRAW, BALLS, PRESCOTT AND BLUNKETT, MEDDLESUM BELIEVES THEY ARE DEFINITELY RUNNING A JACKBOOT AUTOCRACY.
GREAT BRITAIN PILLAGED THE WORLD.
NOW GORMLESS BROWN HAS PILLAGED JOE PUBLIC.
MP's ARE LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THEIR DODGY OFF-SHORE ACCOUNTS.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK
And why exactly should we be concerned at a breakdown of diplomatic ralations with Iran? Close our embassy, bring everyone home, save money. Close their embassy, send them home, sell the embassy - make some money.
- Paul, London
Is there any possible chance we could stick Katie Price aka Jordan on the plane with them to Iran. they think they've got problems. if i have to listen to her going on & on anymore there is a good chance i'll fly there myself........
- Jonny, London
Let's focus on sorting out the mess in our country first. Before we start interfering in another country's. We have MP's stealing and unelected (Mandelson) people running our Government. I don't want any focus taken away on what is going on at home!
- Jk, London
Why did Tony Blair take us to Iraq and we have had 179 people killed and he has never said a word to communicate with their families
Get out of Iraq and save families and now we are being ripped off by Gas and electricity to a value of £5,000 per annum and this takes all our pension plans and does not allow us to buy food or top up our cars
Get the Labour party out as soon as possible as they just take all our money and give it to the banks who then give it to their staff and one at Barclays Bank has taken £9 million pounds, yes nine million pounds.
WE need an election as soon as possible just for the residents to vote and kick out the Labour Party
- Brian Challis, Southend-on-Sea, UK
