Iran expels Guardian correspondent

The Guardian's correspondent in Iran, Dan De Luce, has been expelled from the country for reporting from the Bam earthquake disaster without proper authorisation.

The 38-year-old journalist is expected to fly back to London today. He said that he was disappointed at leaving, but had only been trying to cover the plight of the survivors and document the response of aid agencies to the disaster.

Mr De Luce, who has been the Guardian's Tehran correspondent since January, was told that the ban is effective for three months, after which he could reapply for press accreditation.

The Foreign Office also voiced its disappointment over the affair, and said that the British ambassador had made representations to the Tehran government.

A spokesperson said: "The British government is disappointed at the decision. Legally, it is of course for the Iranian government to decide whom they should allow in to their country. But we think that this act by Tehran sends the wrong messages about freedom of the press, and about Iran's willingness to engage sensibly with the international community."

The earthquake, which occurred on December 26, virtually flattened Bam and is thought to have killed around 26,000 people.

However, it was De Luce's decision to visit the area in March that drew the ire of the Tehran government. His journey was made at a time when violence had gripped the area – prompting the government to ban journalists from travelling to the region.

According to the Iranians, Mr De Luce's journey was in contravention of this order, which led to his sanctioning.

The article he subsequently filed contained views from local inhabitants that were critical of the official response to the earthquake. Mr De Luce believes that his treatment was also a warning sign to the international media that criticisms of central authority will not be tolerated.

The editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, told the newspaper: "This can only set back our attempts to understand the fast-changing nature of Iranian society. We hope they will reconsider."

(gmcg)