Iran expels Swedish diplomat in retaliatory move

Tehran gives Swedish official 48 hours to leave as Iran says Stockholm is bowing down to outside pressure.Iran has ordered a Swedish diplomat to leave the country one day after Sweden expelled an Iranian embassy official in Stockholm.Sweden’s action was described by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as “unjustified” on Thursday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3UN fact-finding mission says US committed possible war crimes in Iranlist 2 of 3Russia, China veto UN mandate to monitor Iran sanctionslist 3 of 3US approves visas for top Iranian leaders to attend UN General Assemblyend of list“Without doubt, this action by the Swedish government is the result of the influence of the Zionist regime and an effort to disrupt the normal activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Embassy in Stockholm,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported.Iran’s Foreign Ministry said its director general for Western Europe, Alireza Yousefi, summoned the Swedish ambassador in Tehran on Thursday. Yousefi protested Sweden’s policies, including its “⁠hosting of anti-Iranian terrorist elements and groups”.The ministry said Iran would take necessary measures to safeguard its national rights and interests, including through reciprocal action.IRNA reports that in response to Sweden’s actions, the ambassador was informed in the meeting that a Swedish diplomat in Tehran had been given 48 hours to leave Iran.Sweden expels Iranian officialSweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that the Iranian official was asked to leave the country due to activity incompatible ‌with ⁠the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.The Vienna Convention defines ⁠the rules of ⁠diplomatic missions.The Iranian Foreign Ministry also referenced Sweden’s obligations under international law, including the 1961 Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, warning that disruption of the Iranian embassy’s duties would entail Sweden’s international responsibility, reported IRNA.