Swiss ambassador Philippe Welti and Iraqi ambassador Mohammed Majid Al Shaikh were summoned to meetings with their respective regional directors at the foreign ministry.

‘The kidnapping was contrary to international laws and the diplomat should be released at once and those who committed the terrorist act punished,’ the Iranian foreign ministry told the envoys.

Iran said Jalal Sharafi, the second secretary at the embassy in Baghdad, had been kidnapped in Baghdad on Sunday by a group linked to the Iraqi defence ministry.

It said it held the United States responsible as it ‘supervises’  the ministry.

The abduction comes at a time of mounting accusations by the United States that Teheran is meddling in Iraq and encouraging bloodshed by assisting militant groups. Iran denies the allegations.