Tehran, August 26: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said today he does not accuse the leaders of the post-election violence in June of being backed by foreign states, state television reported.
“I do not accuse the leaders of the recent incidents to be subordinate to the foreigners, like the United States and Britain, since this issue has not been proven for me,” Khamenei said in a statement read out by a newsreader.
On August 3 Khamenei hailed the “unprecedented” vote that returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power as he confirmed him in office following the disputed June 12 presidential election.
Iran has already staged mass trials of more than 140 people on charges linked to the massive demonstrations and street violence that followed Ahmadinejad’s hotly disputed victory.
Among those on trial over the unrest are British and French embassy staff and a French woman university teaching assistant. Iran has accused foreign governments of plotting to destabilise the country.
Ahmadinejad’s re-election triggered massive street protests in Tehran by supporters of his main rival Mir Hossein Mousavi and other defeated candidates, and sparked political turmoil.
—Agencies