Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said in Tehran Sunday that Iranian officials themselves are seeking promotion of human rights and the country needs no lesson by Europeans in this regard.
Speaking to the press at his weekly briefing, Asefi recommended
Europeans to think about minorities and refugees in their own
countries whose rights are violated if they really have any concern
regarding human rights.
"Today, violation of human rights is seriously worrisome in certain European states and Europeans should think about this issue," he said, according to <i>IRNA</i>.
Furthermore, the spokesman rejected accusations against Iran on the country's interference in Iraq's internal affairs, saying "such accusations
are quite baseless.
"I do not know why certain regional media are showing concerns over the establishment of democracy in a country."
Asefi said no one should have any fear over the establishment of a democratic system, adding "those who raise the issue of Iran's meddling in Iraq's affairs have concerns over the results of the upcoming elections in Iraq."
Asefi also noted that Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi may not attend the foreign ministerial meeting of the Iraqi neighboring states, scheduled to be held in Amman, Jordan, saying the level of Iran's participation in the conference is currently under study.
Pointing to remarks made by the U.S. State Department spokesman on
United States' direct negotiations with Iran on nuclear issues, Asefi
stressed, "This issue is not on Iran's agenda and the country has no
interest in any U.S. presence in the talks conducted in this regard."
