Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast on Tuesday accused Britain and the United States of “interfering” in the internal affairs of Islamic republic. “It is surprising to witness British and American officials make remarks that clearly interfere in our country’s internal affairs,” foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in his weekly briefing.
It is better for them instead to “hear the message of the region’s people to realise that the real reason for popular movements and the Islamic awakenings in the region is hatred towards their policies,” he said. Mehmanparast made the remarks in response to a statement by the British foreign office marking the second anniversary of the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and expressing support for the opposition movement.
“We advise them to correct their wrong approach (towards the region) instead of levelling baseless and unfounded allegations” against Tehran, Mehmanparast said. In an apparent response to appeals posted on opposition websites and Facebook, small groups of opposition supporters on Sunday gathered in central Tehran in a silent march to mark the second anniversary of the vote.
But a strong presence of security forces in the area averted any successful demonstrations, as dozens were arrested, according to witnesses.