Iran summons UK ambassador following execution of ex-minister with British nationality

Simon Shercliff, the UK's ambassador to Iran, has been summoned as a response by Tehran for what they describe as "Britain's unconventional interventions, including in the national security field of the Islamic Republic of Iran".

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab Staff & Agencies

14 January, 2023

Iran said that "the British government should be held accountable for establishing unconventional communications leading to an attack on (Iran's) national security" [Getty]

Iran on Saturday summoned the British ambassador to Tehran, the foreign ministry said, hours after a British-Iranian dual national was executed for espionage in the Islamic republic.

Former senior defence official Alireza Akbari, 61, was hanged after being convicted of "corruption on earth and harming the country's internal and external security by passing on intelligence", Iran judiciary's Mizan Online website said.

Mizan said Akbari, who had been arrested more than two years ago, had been a spy for Britain's MI6 secret intelligence agency and had received around $2 million for his services.

In response to Britain's unconventional interventions, including in the national security of the Islamic Republic of #Iran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned Britain's Ambassador to Tehran @SimonShercliff on Saturday https://t.co/vN65oB7oBe pic.twitter.com/OGnpYLGimJ
— Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (@Iran_GOV) January 14, 2023

"In response to Britain's unconventional interventions, including in the national security field of the Islamic Republic of Iran, today, Simon Shercliff, the ambassador of this country in Tehran, was summoned," the ministry said in a statement.

"In this meeting, our country's protest against the acts of sabotage and acts against (Iran's) national security was reflected to the British government," it added.

The statement stressed "the British government should be held accountable for establishing unconventional communications leading to an attack on (Iran's) national security".

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"The continuation of such illegal and criminal actions cannot be tolerated in any way; therefore, the British government must accept the consequences of the responsibility of continuing its unorthodox and interventionist approach."

Earlier, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the execution as "a callous and cowardly act", saying he was "appalled" by it.

Iran does not recognise dual nationality for its citizens.