Iran: Foreign interference behind unrest

Iran, says foreign interference is behind recent anti-government protests in Tehran and other cities. The Iranian government has summoned Britain's ambassador to file a complaint.

Iran's Parliament Speaker, Ali Larijani, called for severe punishment for anti-government protesters.

He also condemned the latest comments by the US Obama administration regarding Iran's crackdown on opposition protesters.

Ali Larijani, Iran's Parliament Speaker, said, "We declare that Obama's admiration for the protesters will both ruin his reputation and will also reveal just who this anti-religious group is linked to. It will fall on the shoulders of the ruling system to confront them more firmly."

Larijani's comments came after the US President, Barack Obama on Monday praised the courage and the conviction of the Iranian people, while condemning the Iranian government for attacking demonstrators.

Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani talks during a press conference following his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, not pictured, at the Presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.(AP Photo/Amr Nabil)