FOREIGN Secretary David Miliband last night rejected claims by his Iranian counterpart that the UK was stirring protests against the disputed re-election of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
As the death toll from clashes between demonstrators and security forces reached 20, Iran’s foreign minister rebuked Britain for raising questions about voting irregularities.
Manouchehr Mottaki, who also criticised interventions by France and Germany, told diplomats: “Great Britain has plotted against the presidential election for more than two years. We witnessed an influx of people before the election. Elements linked to the British secret service were flying in in droves.”
His comments come after Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused “the evil British government” last week of interfering in the June 12 election.
Mr Miliband suggested that Mr Mottaki was seeking to distract attention from the country’s internal difficulties.
“Foreign Minister Mottaki’s attempt . . . to turn the dispute among Iranians about the election results into a battle between Iran and other countries – the UK, in particular – is without foundation,” he said.
“I reject categorically the idea that the protesters in Iran are manipulated or motivated by foreign countries.
“The UK is categorical that it is for the Iranian people to choose their government, and for the Iranian authorities to ensure the fairness of the result and the protection of their own people.
“I therefore deplore the continuing violence against those seeking to exercise their right of expression. This can only damage Iran’s standing in the eyes of the world. The blame being heaped on foreigners is no excuse.”
Mr Miliband added that the growing death toll from clashes between demonstrators and security forces in Tehran would “raise the level of concern” around the world.
Top US senator Richard Lugar, one of the Senate’s most respected voices on foreign affairs, said the ground had been laid for a “potentially very brutal outcome at the end of the day”.
Iranian state media reported the deaths of 13 more demonstrators in what has been Iran’s most serious internal conflict since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It brought Iran’s official death toll for a week of unrest to at least 20.
The 13 who died in weekend clashes with black-clad police wielding truncheons, tear gas and water cannons in the Iranian capital were dubbed “terrorists” by a state broadcaster.
Meanwhile, the BBC revealed that their permanent correspondent in Tehran, Jon Leyne, has been asked to leave by the authorities.
