A senior Iranian envoy Mohammed-Reza Heydari has resigned and denounced Tehran following the brutal crackdown on protesters during the course of last month when at least 12 people were killed by security forces using live rounds.

Heydari has called upon other Iranian diplomats to follow the same course of conduct.

Although he has yet to apply for political asylum in Norway, the envoy admitted that attempts had been made to lure him back to Iran. He is the first diplomat to publically resign from the new regime.

While Heydari was confirming this to the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK the Iranian government were denying the veracity of reports that suggested that he had jumped ship.

“I hope my friends and colleagues in other parts of the world who see and hear me now and know me will move in the same direction as their people. I hope they will manage to sacrifice some personal interests and rather think of what is in the interest of their people and their nation,” he said.

Heydari confirmed that he was not concerned about the threat to his own life but rather that of his relatives. He is married with two children having spent 20 years in the Iranian diplomatic service.

He unfortunately runs the same risk as others who have criticised the regime in having his family arrested as was the case with Shirin Ebadi, the Nobel peace laureate.

" As I have said repeatedly, the main reason for my decision was to announce to the Iranian people and those who are with the Green Movement that I am on their side, and that I want to help them with my action. And also to denounce the killings and the crackdown on my fellow citizens by agents inside the country. The whole world is saddened by [what is happening].

The support of the international community for Iranian freedom seekers will prevent some of the extreme acts of violence. The condemnation of killings by the outside world has [already led authorities to curb violence].

But Iran belongs to all Iranians, no matter their political inclinations. [Only] our own unity, both inside and outside the country, will stop the violence." (Heydari on Radio Free Europe)