Tehran, 2 Nov. (AKI) - After a small bomb outside British companies offices and news of a massive shakeup of Iran's diplomats, the rumour mill in Teheran is churning with speculation about some unexpected move, possibly the occuption of a Western embassy. The Iranian website, Gooya, one of the most popular Persian language sites, has reported that many British diplomats have left Tehran, in view of a possible occupation of their premises. The same sources also say records and data from the embassy building have been shifted to a more secure area.
On Wednesday morning, an explosion occured in front of the offices of British Airways and British Petroleum. Participants at a rally to celebrate the anniversary of the 1979 occupation of the American embassy in Tehran, received a warning without any reason a few hours before the rally, not to go near the British embassy not other British interests in the country. Whoever gave the warning was probably aware of the imminent explosion of the device which the Iranian deputy interior minister has referred to as a "response to certain positions taken by certain countries against Iran."
Iran's interior minister has denied students permission to hold a counter-demonstration outside the Italian embassy in Tehran on Thursday in response to one being held in the Italian capital, Rome, to protest Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's call for the removal of Israel from the map. The Rome rally, which will take place in front of the Iranian embassy, was organised by right wing newspaper Il Foglio, but politicians of various hues will be taking part.
The news agency Parsa has said that the students of Basij, a popular militia group, have said that they intend to hold a rally against the "Zionist Italians". Iran's interior minister however has said that no authorisation has been given for such a rally.
The increased tension comes as president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced a major shakeup of the diplomatic corps, replacing ambassadors to key European capitals. Critics say it ammounts to a 'purge' of diplomatic staff seen as being too close to the reformist forces that have been sidelined since Ahmadinejad was elected president in June. |