Iran summons UK envoy as protests over Mahsa Amini’s death churn on

TEHRAN AFP, 5 Oct, 2022 -  Iran said Wednesday it had summoned British ambassador Simon Shercliff to hear a protest over “meddlesome statements” on the unrest sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.   

A wave of unrest has rocked Iran since the 22-year-old Kurd died on September 16 after her arrest by the morality police in Tehran for allegedly failing to observe the Islamic republic’s strict dress code for women.   

The street violence has led to the deaths of dozens of people -- mostly protesters but also members of the security forces.   

Tehran “rejects and strongly condemns the interference of the British foreign ministry in Iran’s internal affairs by resorting to fake and provocative interpretations,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.   

 “Unfortunately, by issuing unilateral and selective statements, the British side shows that it has a share in the scenarios of the enemies who are active in Britain and are acting against the Islamic Republic of Iran.   

 “Iran will consider possible options for a reciprocal response to any unconventional actions by the British side,” the ministry said, adding that it had made its protest on Tuesday.

   
Also on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned the European Union of a response a day after its foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the 27-member bloc is considering sanctions on Iran over Amini’s death.