The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran on Wednesday declared two German diplomats “persona non grata” and ordered their eviction from Iran over the Berlin government’s interfering measures.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said the two German diplomats have been expelled after being declared persona non grata following the German government’s “interfering and irresponsible measures” and meddling in Iran’s internal and judicial affairs.
The spokesman said the Foreign Ministry has summoned the ambassador of Germany to inform him on the decision.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will act mightily in the face of excessive demands,” Kanaani underlined.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s priority is always to maintain interaction in the atmosphere of respect, but if certain parties intend to ignore the principal rules and the national sovereignty of our country, the definition of alternative options will be inevitable,” he stated.
The decision to evict the German diplomats came after Germany announced on February 22 that it has expelled two Iranian diplomats in response to the death penalty imposed on a dual citizen.
On February 21, an Iranian court sentenced Jamshid Sharmahd, a terrorist group ringleader, to death on conviction for masterminding and directing terrorist activities in Iran.
Sharmahd, 67, the ringleader of Tondar (Thunder) terrorist group, is an Iranian national who also holds German citizenship and used to reside in the US.