Iran summons UK diplomat over remarks on Syria

Iran took Britain to task Thursday over what it says were "unfounded" remarks by the United Kingdom's top diplomat on Tehran's alleged role in helping stifle protests in strife-torn Syria.

The Foreign Ministry summoned Britain's charge d'affaires, Jane Marriott, over the remarks by Foreign Secretary William Hague, state-run Press TV said. Marriott said she convey Iran's protests to the British government.

Hague told the House of Commons on Tuesday that Iran "is combining brutal suppression of opposition leaders at home with the provision of equipment and technical advice to help the Syrian regime crush protests in Syria."

"This is unacceptable, and compounds our concern about Iran's behavior and its intentions over its nuclear program," he said.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said the British government "is not qualified to make such comments about other countries because of (its) interfering measures and destructive role in the region's developments."

It called the comments "completely unfounded and based on a series of lies."

Britain's Foreign Office confirmed the summoning and said the charge d'affaires in Tehran "was asked to explain recent UK statements on Iran, including on Iran's role supporting the Syrian regime in crushing protests."

It emphasized that it "stands by its statements" and has raised the issue in London with the Iranian charge d'affaires.

"We remain extremely concerned by the Iranian government's repression of its own people and its support for violent elements in the region. We have seen credible information suggesting Iran is helping Syria with the suppression of protests there, including through the provision of expertise and equipment."

It also raised another issue, the contention that Iran has provided weaponry to Taliban militants.

"We also note that Iran has provided no response to clear evidence of its provision of arms to the Taliban -- a matter we have referred to the U.N. for investigation," the Foreign Office said.

Source: CNN