Iran summons Dutch envoy over attempted import of prohibited items

Tehran has summoned the Netherlands’ ambassador to lodge a formal protest following an illegal attempt by a Dutch diplomat to import restricted goods into the country.

The protest was conveyed to Emiel de Bont, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Tehran. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the seized shipment belonged to the Dutch diplomat and contained items whose import and use are prohibited under Iranian law, Mehr News Agency reports.

Officials emphasized that the handling of the confiscated cargo was carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, including Article 36(2), and that all relevant protocols were applied.

“Iran strongly protests the actions and considers the incident a violation of applicable legal and diplomatic norms,” the ministry stated.

No further details have been released regarding the specific contents of the confiscated goods or any subsequent measures.

Previous reports indicate that a Dutch diplomat’s suitcase was confiscated at Iran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport after he declined to submit it for X-ray screening. On February 24, the Netherlands summoned Iran’s ambassador to formally protest the seizure of the diplomat’s luggage at Tehran airport.

By Vafa Guliyeva