London: Iran summoned the British ambassador in Tehran on Tuesday, with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki threatening Britain with a "slap in the mouth" if it did not stop interfering in Iranian affairs.
Britain`s Foreign Office said the ambassador would respond "robustly" to any criticism of a British government statement calling on Tehran to respect the human rights of Iranian citizens.
Iran`s elite Revolutionary Guards earlier said Iran`s opposition was linked to the country`s foreign enemies.
Mottaki told a news conference that the ambassador had been summoned over Britain`s interference in Iran`s domestic affairs. "If Britain does not stop talking nonsense it will get a slap in the mouth," he said.
On Monday British Foreign Secretary David Miliband criticised the Tehran regime after at least eight people were killed in anti-government protests.
Miliband said the deaths were "yet another reminder of how the Iranian regime deals with protest" and praised the courage of protesters.
At least 20 opposition figures have been arrested since Sunday as hardline rulers intensify a crackdown on Iran`s reform movement.
Bureau Report
