Iran summoned the British ambassador in response to unsubstantiated UK accusations about Iranian interference in its internal affairs. Alireza Yousefi expressed Iran’s strong objections and warned that such rhetoric would deepen distrust. The diplomatic confrontation arises amidst plans for enhanced scrutiny on Tehran by the UK, influenced by historic tensions rooted in past British actions in Iran.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned the British ambassador, Hugo Shorter, in response to repeated, unfounded allegations by British officials regarding Iran’s interference in the UK’s internal affairs. Alireza Yousefi, Assistant to the Foreign Minister, conveyed Iran’s strong objection to these claims during a formal meeting, labeling them as “biased and baseless.”
Yousefi emphasized that such rhetoric violates international law and diplomatic norms and warned it would exacerbate distrust towards British policies concerning Iran and the West Asian region. He called for a reassessment of the UK’s approach to enable a more balanced diplomatic relationship, with Shorter agreeing to communicate Iran’s concerns to the UK government.
This diplomatic confrontation arises as Iran resists Britain’s intended implementation of stricter security measures aimed at scrutinizing Tehran for alleged hostile activities. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei criticized the UK’s position, asserting it is hypocritical to accuse Iran of interference while the UK has a history of such actions itself, particularly citing the 1953 coup that overthrew Iran’s elected government.
Baqaei expressed frustration at the UK government labeling Iran as a threat while it actively denies atrocities like those in Gaza. He remarked, “It is absurd to blame Iran for something you excel in… illegal interference in other nations’ internal affairs!” He warned that Iran would no longer tolerate such accusations and that any hostile actions against the nation would have consequences.
The dispute follows UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis’s announcement of a new foreign influence registration scheme, targeting Iran’s government and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Tehran maintains that these claims are politically driven and stem from a historical pattern of British interference in Iran, including a significant famine during World War I that resulted in millions of deaths. These tensions highlight a long-standing contentious relationship between the two nations.
The summoning of the British ambassador by Iran underscores the escalating tensions between the two countries due to unfounded allegations from the UK regarding Iranian interference. Iran’s strong condemnation of these accusations reflects a broader distrust and calls for balanced diplomacy. The ongoing dispute is fueled by historical grievances stemming from UK interventions in Iran, reiterating the complex dynamics at play between these nations.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
