Italy has joined a growing number of EU countries who are censuring Iran after England's embassy was sacked - just how high are the stakes?
By Gavriel Queenann
First Publish: 12/1/2011, 6:23 PM
Strait of Hormuz
NASA
Italy summoned Iran's envoy to Rome's foreign ministry on Thursday to express its "firm condemnation" of the storming of the British embassy in Tehran - leading some to suggest Iran and the West are on a collision course.
Rome announced it had also demanded security guarantees for diplomats during the meeting with Tehran's envoy, Mehdi Akouchekian. Italy, diplomats told him, may take further action.
Iranian protesters on Tuesday stormed and ransacked the British embassy and British diplomatic compounds after an apparently state-approved rally denounced Britain's support of U.S. sanctions over Iran's controversial nuclear program.
Iran subsequently denied it was behind the escalation saying a handful of protesters got out of hand, but Western diplomats have dismissed Tehran's claims saying it had intentionally sought a "dramatic piece of political theater."
Italy has long had strong economic ties with Iran, but reduced trade substantially in recent years. Germany, France and the Netherlands recalled their ambassadors in solidarity with Britain.
EU officials are also said to be considering an oil embargo on Iran, preventing the shipping of Iranian oil to the West. The idea has been slowly gaining support since the latest International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Iran's drive for nuclear weapons. Read the rest on: Arutz7
Rome announced it had also demanded security guarantees for diplomats during the meeting with Tehran's envoy, Mehdi Akouchekian. Italy, diplomats told him, may take further action.
Iranian protesters on Tuesday stormed and ransacked the British embassy and British diplomatic compounds after an apparently state-approved rally denounced Britain's support of U.S. sanctions over Iran's controversial nuclear program.
Iran subsequently denied it was behind the escalation saying a handful of protesters got out of hand, but Western diplomats have dismissed Tehran's claims saying it had intentionally sought a "dramatic piece of political theater."
Italy has long had strong economic ties with Iran, but reduced trade substantially in recent years. Germany, France and the Netherlands recalled their ambassadors in solidarity with Britain.
EU officials are also said to be considering an oil embargo on Iran, preventing the shipping of Iranian oil to the West. The idea has been slowly gaining support since the latest International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Iran's drive for nuclear weapons. Read the rest on: Arutz7
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