Iran blames West for protester deaths
Iranian FM says foreign countries at fault for protestor deaths, British meddling the 'worst'
The Iranian foreign minister is blaming foreign countries for the deaths of opposition supporters in Iran's post-election turmoil.
Manouchehr Mottaki says Western "interventionist countries are accomplices in all the committed crimes and murders."
He didn't explain how they were implicated, but singled out Britain and said its meddling into Iranian affairs was the "worst."
Mottaki's speech before Friday prayers was broadcast by state radio.
On Thursday, Iranian police forces arrested mourners who gathered at a Tehran cemetery to commemorate victims of the unrest that followed the country's disputed June presidential election, witnesses said.
"Hundreds have gathered around Neda Agha-Soltan's grave to mourn her death and other victims' deaths ... police arrested some of them ... dozens of riot police also arrived and are trying to disperse the crowd," a witness told Reuters.
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets since the June 12 presidential election, claiming the vote was fraudulent.
Authorities say some 20 protesters have died in the government crackdown on the protesters, although rights groups say the number is probably far higher. According to unofficial reports, the death toll has topped 100 by now.
Associated Press and Reuters contributed to the report
