Expelled Iranian Diplomats Arrive Home

Iranian diplomats pack up after being expelled from Britain in response to attack on British compounds in Tehran.

Iranian diplomats expelled from London in response to attacks on British compounds in Tehran have arrived home.

Iran's official IRNA news agency said about 150 people were on hand at Tehran's Mehrabad airport to greet the diplomats even though the government had reportedly opposed any high-profile welcome.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague on November 30 ordered the diplomats to leave Britain within 48 hours, following the closure of Britain's embassy in Tehran, which was stormed and ransacked by protesters one day earlier.

Germany, France and the Netherlands have recalled their ambassadors, and Italy and Spain summoned Iranian envoys to condemn the attacks.

compiled from agency reports