Tehran: Iran's supreme leader warned Western governments on Monday of a "negative impact" on relations over what he called their meddling in Iran's post-election riots, state television reported.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments reflect continued efforts by the regime to blame Western powers such as the US and Britain -- not internal anger -- for unrest following the country's disputed presidential election. They also come one day after the American vice president said the US is still open to negotiating with Iran over its nuclear programme.
"Some leaders of Western countries at the level of president, prime minister and foreign minister openly intervened in Iran's internal affairs that had nothing to do with them. Then, they said they don't intervene in Iran's internal affairs," the television quoted Khamenei as telling thousands of Iranians during a ceremony to commemorate a revered Shiite saint.
Iran quashed street protests following its disputed June 12 election, and the leadership has been trying to erase any lingering doubts about the legitimacy of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by portraying the unrest as sparked by foreign meddling.
Reformist opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has said the government stole the election results and that he was the rightful winner of the vote. Khamenei has sided with Ahmadinejad.