TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the British ambassador to Tehran in protest at his comments about the situation of journalists in Iran.
Simon Shercliff on Tuesday posted a tweet asking the Iranian government to “release all arbitrarily detained individuals, including all journalists.”
He was referring to journalists detained in Iran in the wake of last year’s riots in the country. Some are currently being held and investigated for potential links to rioters.
A statement by the ministry said Iran strongly objected to the UK ambassador’s remarks, which were against diplomatic norms.
“(Issuing) imprudent and irresponsible remarks that are contrary to diplomatic norms is a clear example of interference in the internal affairs (of Iran) and is unacceptable,” the statement quoted the director general of the Western Europe bureau at the foreign ministry as telling Shercliff in a meeting at the ministry.
The diplomat said Britain “is in no position to make statements” on Iran, given its “indefensible” policy towards the Iranian people, Press TV reported.
The British envoy, in response, stressed his country’s will to keep respectful relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, the ministry’s statement said.
