UK expels two Iranian diplomats

The United Kingdom (UK) has ordered the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats in a ti-for-tat action after Tehran also orders two UK diplomats to leave the country, according to an article on news.bbc.co.uk.



Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Members of Parliament (MPs) he had no choice but to respond after Iran had made allegations that were \"absolutely without foundation\".



The two British diplomats had been effectively accused of spying by Iran officials, the Foreign Office said.



Mass unrest on the streets of Tehran has been blamed by Iran on the UK.



The prime minister told the House of Commons: \"Iran yesterday took the unjustified step of expelling two British diplomats over allegations, which are absolutely without foundation. In response to that action, we informed the Iranian ambassador today that we would expel two Iranian diplomats from their embassy in London.\"



The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) did not specify the identities of the individuals being expelled from Iran, except to say they are diplomats, rather than support staff, and the British Ambassador is not one of them.



An FCO spokesman said the Iranian Ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office earlier to be told two Iranian diplomats holding equivalent positions in London were also being asked to leave by the end of the week.



He said the action was ‘regrettable’ but the UK had been forced to respond.



Iran has singled out the UK in its widespread condemnation of what it calls meddling by foreign powers in its affairs.