Iranian authorities slam "Western interference" in internal affairs

Ali Larijani and hardline MPs demonstrate in Tehran

Iranian authorities lashed out against British and US comments in condemnation of the government's violent crackdown on dissidents on Sunday Ashura Day.

Iranian foreign minister, Manochehr Mottaki claimed Britain will get a "slap in the mouth” if it does not end “talking nonsense.” He claimed they are in possession of evidence regarding the policies and programs of Western countries that will be revealed when the need arises.

Speaker of the foreign ministry also announced that the British Ambassador has been summoned “following the interference of Britain in Iran’s internal affairs.”

Ali Larijani, speaker of Iran’s parliament announced that government dissidents have started a war against “God and the representative of God.” IRNA reports that Ali Larijani urged the judiciary to take action against these “anti-religion and anti-revolutionary” events. He also cautioned opposition leaders that the events of Ashura Day were an insult to the “ideals of the nation.”

On Sunday which coincided with Ashura, the Shiite holy day of mourning for the third Imam, Iran’s election protesters once more took to the streets to voice their protests against the alleged vote rigging in June presidential elections. They were confronted with pro-government and security forces which resulted in death of eight and the arrest of hundreds of people.

While pro-government forces claim that protesters have disrespected the holy day, dissidents claim the government has sullied the day by pouring people’s blood.

Hardline MPs demonstrate in Parliament

Iran’s hardline MPs demonstrated within the parliament calling for prosecution of opposition leaders, MirHosein Mousavi and Mohammad Khatami. A hardline MP accused the two reformists of “coming to fight Imam Hossein (the third Shiite Imam)” with the aid of Barack Obama.

The US president, while vacationing in Hawaii, condemned the violent confrontation of protesters by the Iranian government.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also issued a statement condemning Sunday’s protesters for “desecrating” the holy day. They accuse the dissidents of foreign ties and announce that “the architects of the sedition and riots will have to pay sooner or later for their transgressions against what the Iranian nation holds sacred."