TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's constitutional watchdog has ratified a bill that reduces diplomatic relations with Britain following London's support of recently upgraded U.S. sanctions on Tehran.
State radio says the Guardian Council ratified the bill on Monday after parliament approved it the day before. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad now has five days to sign the bill before Iran's foreign ministry can act on it.
The bill requires both Iran and Britain to withdraw their ambassador from the other country and reduce representation to the level of charge d'affaires.
Iran's relations with Britain have become increasingly strained, largely because of increasing tensions over Tehran's disputed nuclear program. The West says Iran is developing nuclear weapons -- a charge Iran denies.
