Iran orders Swedish diplomat to leave within 48 hours in tit-for-tat move

Iran on Thursday ordered a Swedish diplomat to leave the country within 48 hours in a reciprocal move after Stockholm expelled an Iranian embassy official a day earlier, Anadolu reports.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said it summoned Sweden’s ambassador in Tehran, Mathias Otterstedt, and informed him that one Swedish diplomat would have to leave Iran within 48 hours, according to the official news agency IRNA.

The ministry said the decision came after Sweden ordered an Iranian diplomat working at Iran’s embassy in Stockholm to leave the country.

It rejected what it called Sweden’s “baseless” accusations that Iran had interfered in the country’s security affairs and strongly condemned the expulsion of the Iranian diplomat.

Tehran described Sweden’s move as “unjustified” and said it violated international law, accusing Stockholm of obstructing the Iranian Embassy’s normal operations.

READ: Iran rejects German chancellor’s claims on nuclear program, regional allies

The ministry also accused Sweden of pursuing “hostile policies” toward Iran and hosting individuals and groups opposed to Tehran.

It said Iran would take necessary measures to protect its rights and national interests, including through the principle of reciprocity.

On Wednesday, the Swedish government said it had expelled an official from the Iranian Embassy after summoning Iran’s ambassador.

Stockholm said the official was asked to leave Sweden 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 interests, while Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said, “We know Iran has for a long time been conducting security-threatening activities in and against Sweden.”

READ: UN mission finds ‘reasonable grounds to believe US committed war crimes’ in Iran