Germany slams Iran decision to expel 2 diplomats in tit-for-tat move

BERLIN (AA) - Germany's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday lambasted Iran's decision to expel two German diplomats from Iran in a tit-for-tat move.

"Today's step was to be expected after the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats on February 22, but from the German government's point of view it is in no way justified," according to a Foreign Ministry press statement.

Germany expelled two employees of the Iranian Embassy in Berlin last week in response to Tehran sentencing a German national to death.

The German expulsion of two Iranian diplomats came in protest to Tehran’s sentencing German national Jamshid Sharmahd to death.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said Wednesday that Germany was interfering in Iran’s “internal and judicial affairs.”

Tehran accused Sharmahd of leading the armed wing of a pro-monarchist group, which his family denied.

In other related news, the German Foreign Ministry condemned Iran's reported development of long-range cruise missiles.

"We have noted the Iranian media reports on the development of a new long-range missile. We are watching the ongoing Iranian armament with concern, not least because Iran is currently escalating in many areas," a press statement said.

"This includes nuclear-political steps such as the uranium enrichment in Fordow, the brutal repression against its own population as well as Iran's destabilizing activities in the region and with the drone deliveries to Russia also beyond. We are in close contact with our partners in the Gulf, in the USA and within Europe on this development," the ministry added.

Iran has developed a cruise missile with a range of 1,650 km (1,025 miles), a top Revolutionary Guards commander said last week.