Iran angered by expulsions from Britain

IRAN reacted sharply yesterday to the expulsion of three of its nationals from Britain, asserting that the 'illegal' decision was motivated by a desire to avenge the expulsion of a British diplomat from Iran on spying charges, writes Safa Haeri.

In a commentary, Tehran Radio accused the British diplomat, Geoffrey Brammer, third secretary at the embassy in Tehran, of 'activities incompatible with his diplomatic status'. It added that the three Iranians, whom the radio called 'local employees working at the Iranian diplomatic mission in London', were ordered out 'because of lasting colonial behaviour'.