Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi (Photo: Financial Tribune)

Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said the Iranian deputy foreign minister has expressed the Islamic Republic’s strong protest at the arrest, and because diplomats have immunity under the Vienna Convention, the diplomat should be released without delay and without condition.

He said the arrest was an attempt to damage Iran-Europe ties at a moment when Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is in Europe trying to save the JCPOA nuclear deal following Washington’s withdrawal from the landmark accord.