Iran Press/ Iran News: In an exclusive interview with Iran Press correspondent on the sideline of the Majlis open session on Monday, the Head of the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Mojtaba Zonnour said the issue of the presence of British ambassador in recent unrest in Tehran is being carefully reviewed by the parliament.
"In the afternoon session of the National Security Commission, the presence of the British ambassador in recent protests is being reviewed," he said.
"Britain's image is not positive in the collective memory of the Iranian nation. Hearing the name Britain, what immediately comes to our nation's mind is deceit, duplicity, aggression, and colonialism. We believe that Britain is involved in many wicked plots and undermining activity throughout the world."
He referred to the presence of the British ambassador at recent unrest in Tehran, and said, "So far, no representative of the British government has treated the Iranian people sincerely. Britain has consistently sought to undermine our economic interests at various junctures in history. The British ambassador's recent move, trying to encourage unrest and rioting has prompted the National Security Commission to invite officials from across the country to attend a meeting to carefully consider recent events. Of course, many Iranians are calling for the British ambassador's expulsion."
The senior MP added: "The British ambassador has returned to London, but British officials have said he would return to Tehran. The Iranian government must come to a decision regarding this matter, and if the ambassador (Rob Macaire) is found to be a "Persona non Grata", he must be expelled from Iran. By and large, most of us beleive he is a Persona non Grata."
Mojtaba Zonnour stressed: "If the British ambassador intended to pay tribute to the foreign nationals who lost their lives in the Ukrainian passenger plane air tragedy, he could have travelled to the five countries involved, or he could have expressed his sympathies and he could have signed a memorial book at the relevant embassies here in Tehran.
Zonnour concluded by saying: "According to international law, the British ambassador was not allowed to attend demonstrations. Because ambassadors have only diplomatic immunity in three places: inside their embassy building or consulate, in their place of residence and inside their vehicles. If an ambassador wishes to be outside these three locations, the host country's officials must be informed. So the British ambassador's conduct certainly goes against international laws and diplomatic norms."
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