Iran to summon UK envoy over Miliband remarks

Tehran will summon British Ambassador Simon Lawrence Gass to formally protest the “meddling” remarks made by British officials, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast told Press TV on Monday.

Mehman-Parast said British Foreign Secretary David Miliband's comments were hasty and undiplomatic.

On Monday, Miliband hailed the “great courage” of opposition supporters who took part in illegal protests in Tehran one day earlier, during which several people were killed and public property was damaged.

In a statement issued in London, Miliband condemned the crackdown on the protesters, saying it was “particularly disturbing” since it happened during the holiest event for Shia Muslims, Ashura, which is the anniversary of the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Imam Hussein (PBUH).

At least eight people were killed in clashes between security forces and demonstrators that broke out during the protests, according to the Tehran police headquarters.

The police also said that the police forces neither used violence nor fired a single bullet on Sunday.

However, Miliband blamed the Islamic Republic for the deaths, saying they were “yet another reminder of how the Iranian regime deals with protest.”

Mehman-Parast said that the British have proven that they believe they will benefit from sowing discord among Iranians.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also advised British officials to rethink their policy toward Iran.

/Press TV/