TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday Iran has declared two Dutch diplomats persona non grata in reaction to the “illegal” expulsion of two Iranian diplomats by the Netherlands on false accusations.

“We expelled two Dutch diplomats in line with the decision, which was communicated to the Foreign Ministry, and in reaction to illegal expulsion of Iranian diplomats [by the Dutch government]. The Netherlands has also summoned its ambassador [to Iran] for consultation,” Zarif said, Press TV reported.

“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 added.

Zarif stressed that the Foreign Ministry is taking all necessary measures in this regard.

Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said in a statement on Monday that the government of the Netherlands “has decided to recall the Dutch ambassador in Tehran for consultations.”

“This decision follows the announcement by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that two Dutch diplomats at the embassy in Tehran have been declared persona non grata and have to leave the country,” Blok added.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Monday that Iran has told two Dutch diplomats to leave the country after Tehran declared them persona non grata.

Iran “does not seek tension in its ties with European countries, but will take reciprocal actions to any move against its national interests,” Qassemi said.

MH/PA