News In Brief

Expulsion of envoys frays ties between France, Iran

The expulsions of three Iranian diplomats from Paris and three French envoys from Teheran have plunged relations between the two countries ''to the lowest possible level,'' Iran said Tuesday.

The three French diplomats left Teheran Monday, following orders by the Islamic regime of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The official Iranian news agency IRNA said the three French Embassy officials were expelled in retaliation for the ordered closure of Iran's cultural center in Paris last week and the expulsion of three Iranian diplomats. France has also expelled eight employees of the cultural center.