Iran accuses West of fomenting violent protests

Iran's foreign ministry on Tuesday strongly condemned the interference of foreign countries in its internal affairs, after the United States and Britain praised anti-government protesters who took part in demonstrations on the holy day of Ashura on Sunday. Britain's Ambassador to Iran, Simon Gass, was summoned to the foreign ministry to explain comments made by Britain's Foreign Secretary David Milband on Monday in which he hailed the great courage of those involved in the protests. Miliband blamed the Islamic Republic for the deaths, saying they were yet another reminder of how the Iranian regime deals with protest. Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Iran was seriously and strongly investigating interference by foreign officials into Iran's internal issues.As a result, the British Ambassador, would be asked for an explanation about Milband's statement. Washington had also condemned what the White House described as the violent and unjust suppression of civilians during the unrest. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds who used the religious ceremony to chant slogans against the government. Eight people were killed.