In this photo released on Aug 11, 2022 by the Iranian foreign ministry, ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani speaks in Tehran, Iran. (IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY VIA AP)
TEHRAN – Iran on Saturday condemned Australia's sanctions on Iranian individuals and institutions, saying they represent the country's interference in Iran's internal affairs.
The Australian government "has for years been violating the basic rights of indigenous Australians, prisoners and refugees," said Nasser Kanaani, the foreign ministry spokesman, in a ministry statement.
Earlier in the day, the Australian government announced sanctions on six Iranians and Iran's morality police and Basij volunteer force over what it calls "human rights violations and abuses"
"Australia has also given sanctuary to anti-Iran terrorist and separatist groups," he added.
Earlier in the day, the Australian government announced sanctions on six Iranians and Iran's morality police and Basij volunteer force over what it calls "human rights violations and abuses."
Protests have erupted in Iran after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in a Tehran hospital on Sept 16, a few days after her collapse at a police station. Iran has accused the United States and some other Western countries of "inciting riots and supporting terrorists" in the country.
ALSO READ: Iran says over 200 died in recent 'riots'
Also on Saturday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the British ambassador over the "meddlesome" remarks of some British officials regarding Iran's internal affairs and the imposition of sanctions against a number of Iranian nationals.
In the meeting with Simon Shercliff, the head of the third bureau of the Iranian Foreign Ministry's Western Europe condemned the continuation of the "interventionist and impolite" remarks about Iran's internal affairs by British officials and the support of the British government and media for the "riots" and acts of "terror" in the country, according to a statement on the ministry's website.
The ministry also conveyed Iran's strong protest at the imposition of the "illegitimate and hypocritical" sanctions against Iranian nationals.
In addition, the ministry strongly rejected Britain's accusation that Iran is sending drones to Russia, saying such accusations have been levelled without any document and proof.
READ MORE: Iran says 40 foreigners arrested for involvement in unrest
Britain on Friday imposed sanctions on 10 Iranian officials over alleged human rights violations, particularly during the recent protests in Iran which erupted following the death of Amini.
Also on Friday, British Ambassador to the United Nations Barbara Woodward claimed that Russia seeks to get more weapons from Iran, including hundreds of ballistic missiles, and is offering Iran an "unprecedented level of military and technical support" in return.