Iran summons Dutch ambassador, slams diplomats' deportation
Tehran summoned the Dutch ambassador as the Islamic Republic protested against the deportation of two Iranian diplomats from the Netherlands, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman was cited as saying by IRNA on Saturday.
On Friday, the Dutch secret service AIVD announced that the Netherlands had expelled two staff members of the Iranian embassy, without providing further details, the Associated Press reported.
A European government official and a Western intelligence source said later on Friday that the expulsions of two Iranian embassy staff occurred up to two months ago.
The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Bahram Qasemi, did not say when the ministry's meeting with the Dutch ambassador took place.
He said the deportation of Iranian diplomats was "unfriendly and unconstructive" and that Iran has the right to take reciprocal measures.
"Instead of expelling Iranian diplomats, the Dutch government should explain why it has harboured members of a terrorist organisation," Qasemi said, mentioning the People's Mujahideen of Iran.
That group is linked to the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran, a bloc of opposition groups in exile that seeks an end to clerical rule in Iran.
The group, also known by its Persian name Mujahideen-e-Khalq, was once listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union but is not any more.
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