- The Media Line - https://themedialine.org -

U.S. Expels Iranians for Videotaping Landmarks

Two Iranian security guards working at the country’s U.N. mission have been ousted by U.S. authorities for videotaping tourist spots and transport and infrastructural hubs in New York, according to news reports.

A U.S. official told AFP that the actions were beyond the guards’ duty at the mission and thus raised suspicion. The pair was asked to leave on charges of “suspected espionage,” though the U.S. found no evidence that the guards were plotting an attack, according to news reports.

Iran has denied any violent intention, stating that the guards were videotaping spots that were of interest to all visitors to the city, according to IRNA, Iran’s official news agency.

This is reportedly the third time that Iranian security guards have been expelled for recording recognizable spots in New York since 9/11.