An Iranian diplomat based in Norway has applied for asylum in the Scandinavian country, news reports said Friday.
Oslo daily Dagbladet reported that the diplomat and his family have gone into hiding and wish to remain anonymous.
"He does not wish to discuss his reasons for seeking asylum or other circumstances," attorney Jorgen Lovdal was quoted as telling the newspaper.
Norwegian authorities declined to comment.
In 2009 another diplomat at Iran's embassy in Oslo resigned in protest against Tehran's harsh treatment of anti-government protesters. He was granted asylum the following year. Angered over the move, Tehran expelled a Norwegian diplomat from Iran; Oslo responded similarly.