Iran expels two German diplomats over Berlin’s ‘interventionist’ actions

Iran's Foreign Ministry has ordered the expulsion of two German diplomats after declaring them “persona non grata” over Berlin's interference in the country's "internal and judicial affairs".

The move came a week after Germany expelled two Iranian diplomats in response to the Islamic Republic sentencing to death the ringleader of a US-based terrorist group accused of carrying out several terrorist attacks against the people of Iran.

Nasser Kana'ani, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, announced on Wednesday that the two German diplomats had been declared “persona non grata” and ordered to leave over the Berlin government’s “irresponsible measures and interference in the internal and judicial affairs" of Iran.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will act decisively against excessive demands,” Kana'ani said as he pointed to the summoning of the German ambassador to Tehran by the Foreign Ministry’s director general of the Western Europe Department to inform him about the decision.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s priority has always been maintaining interaction based on respect, but if some parties intend to ignore the basic standards and national sovereignty of our country, alternative options are inevitable,” he added.

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office announced in a statement the last Wednesday that two employees of the Iranian Embassy in Berlin had been expelled from the European country.

SS