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Iran expels ‘several’ Kuwait diplomats: Al-Alam TV | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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TEHRAN (AFP) – Iran has expelled “several” Kuwaiti diplomats in retaliation for the expulsion of Tehran’s diplomats accused of spying in the Gulf emirate, the Arabic-language Al-Alam television reported on Sunday.

“Iran expelled in retaliation several Kuwaiti diplomats,” the station announced, quoting an informed source who did not reveal how many diplomats had been asked to leave the country.

The source said the Kuwaiti embassy had been told that the diplomats were to leave Iran “soon”, Al-Alam reported.

The development comes after Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Sabah announced on March 31 that a number of Iranian diplomats would be expelled for alleged links to a spy ring working for Tehran.

Iran was quick to reject the accusation, with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying Tehran did not need to spy on its “friends” in the neighboring countries.

“It is clear that (this allegation) has no meaning. What is this spying in Kuwait all about? What does Kuwait have that we spy on it?” Ahmadinejad asked at a press conference on April 4.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi had also dismissed Kuwaiti charges, saying it was a “conspiracy” aimed at sowing discord among Islamic countries.