Iran warns against EU 'ill-advised moves' following riots interference

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Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian deplored Wednesday the interference of EU officials in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic in light of the riots that took place in some regions of the country a few weeks ago.

Amir-Abdollahian warned Brussels that Tehran would respond quite effectively and retaliate against any hasty or ill-advised moves made by the European Union.

The Iranian foreign minister highlighted during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Luigi Di Maio, that Tehran was highly committed to democracy and respected the people's peaceful demands.

He also stressed that foreign meddlers, terrorists, and assets backed by external forces, specifically in the southeastern city of Zahedari and in the west, were the ones that turned the protests violent and chaotic, leading to the killing of innocent civilians and police officers.

"Iran is committed to a fair, serious, and detailed investigation" into Mahsa Amini's case, Amir-Abdollahian underlined.

The death of the 22-year-old Iranian woman on September 16 incited a wave of protests and riots eventually proven to be Western-backed following her arrest by the police in Tehran.

Amini, according to the Western narrative, was killed by Iranian police. However, the Iranian police published CCTV footage documenting the last moments of Mahsa Amini at the police station. The Tehran police said the footage proved that the 22-year-old was not subjected to any violence or physical abuse.

Several officials and parties came out and accused the West and the Israeli occupation were behind the riots, but all the warnings fell on deaf ears in light of the mass support the protests garnered due to western media whitewashing them.

"Iran has once again foiled foreign plots aimed at harming the country's political independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty," Amir-Abdollahian said.

Earlier in the day, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the UK Ambassador to Iran, Simon Shercliff, to express its displeasure with the British government for releasing a meddlesome statement regarding the riots in Iran.

The Director General of Western Europe at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the UK ambassador that "The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects and strongly condemns the British Foreign Office's meddling in Iran's internal affairs by resorting to false and provocative interpretations."

Regardless, Iran's top diplomat told his Italian counterpart that "Iran attaches importance to the enhancement of the historic and friendly ties with Italy."

Di Maio expressed his country's support for the Islamic Republic's efforts to reach a sustainable and lasting agreement in the Vienna talks aimed at reviving the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Italy believes that the collective efforts should yield positive results and all parties must resume honoring their commitments under the JCPOA, he stated.

"Italy respects Iran’s sovereignty and rules," he said, affirming that peaceful protests were different from riots and terrorism.