The UK has told an Iranian diplomat that Ayatollah Khamenei's description of the British government as "evil" is unacceptable.UK officials had summoned Iran's ambassador, Rasul Movaheddian, to the Foreign Office to lodge a protest.
But they were told he was unavailable and Iran sent its charge d'affairs, a more junior official, in his place. The row was sparked by Ayatollah Khamenei saying the UK was the "most evil" of Western governments.A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We made clear to the Iranian charge that the supreme leader's comments were unacceptable and not based in fact. In the ambassador's absence, the charge was called in."
He added: "The line had been that it wanted to avoid giving the Iranians any reason to blame Britain for interfering. The US government has taken a similar view.
"However, Ayatollah Khamenei's description of Britain as the most 'evil' of foreign governments was a step too far."
[British diplomats are thought to believe Britain is being used as "proxy" for the United States, because Iran does not want to endanger its improving relations with America.
BBC
What you think? Do you think Iran is just blaming UK because they are afraid of U.S.? Why do you think Ayatollah Ali reacted this way? Do you think he failed to mention U.S. because Iran did not want to worsen its relationship with U.S.?
But they were told he was unavailable and Iran sent its charge d'affairs, a more junior official, in his place. The row was sparked by Ayatollah Khamenei saying the UK was the "most evil" of Western governments.A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We made clear to the Iranian charge that the supreme leader's comments were unacceptable and not based in fact. In the ambassador's absence, the charge was called in."
He added: "The line had been that it wanted to avoid giving the Iranians any reason to blame Britain for interfering. The US government has taken a similar view.
"However, Ayatollah Khamenei's description of Britain as the most 'evil' of foreign governments was a step too far."
[British diplomats are thought to believe Britain is being used as "proxy" for the United States, because Iran does not want to endanger its improving relations with America.
BBC
What you think? Do you think Iran is just blaming UK because they are afraid of U.S.? Why do you think Ayatollah Ali reacted this way? Do you think he failed to mention U.S. because Iran did not want to worsen its relationship with U.S.?
