Iran expels Dutch diplomats in reciprocal move: FM Zarif

on March 5, 2019 | 9:13:11

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the country has declared two Dutch diplomats persona non grata in reaction to the Netherland’s “illegal” expulsion of two Iranian diplomats on false accusations.

Zarif made the remarks while speaking to reporters on Monday on the same day that Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said his country has recalled its ambassador to Iran for consultations after diplomats at its embassy in Tehran were expelled.

“Two Dutch diplomats have been expelled in line with the order that has been given to Foreign Ministry and in reaction to illegal expulsion of Iranian diplomats [by the Dutch government]. The Netherlands has also summoned his ambassador [to Iran] for consultation,” Zarif said.

The Iranian foreign minister added that expulsion of Iranian diplomats by the Netherlands was illegal, because “the Dutch officials have admitted that their decision to expel the Iranian diplomats was not based on any evidence or document and was merely a politically-motivated move.”

He noted that the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking all necessary measures in this regard.

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