Iran summons Dutch envoy over anti-Tehran accusations

TEHRAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it summoned Dutch Ambassador to Iran Emiel de Bont on Friday over "baseless" anti-Tehran accusations leveled by the Dutch intelligence agency on Thursday.

Alireza Yousefi, director general for Western Europe at the Iranian ministry, summoned Bont after claims by the Netherlands' General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) in its annual report on Thursday that Iran had been behind two "assassination attempts" in Europe, and the subsequent summoning by the Dutch Foreign Ministry of the Iranian ambassador to the Netherlands.

Voicing Tehran's strong protest and regret, Yousefi called the AIVD's claims "unfounded," and the Dutch Foreign Ministry's summoning was made "on the basis of this ridiculous lie."

The Dutch Foreign Ministry's summoning was a "conspicuous and unacceptable projection" by the Netherlands, Yousefi said, urging the Dutch side to adopt a professional and respectful approach towards its relations with Iran and refrain from repeating "incorrect and baseless" accusations.

According to the statement, Bont assured he would relay Iran's protest to the Dutch government. ■