Foreign interference has no influence on Iranians: president

TEHRAN, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that foreign powers' interference in Iran's domestic affairs has no influence on the Iranian people, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Talking to reporters following a cabinet session, Ahmadinejad said that attempts by the U.S. and certain European states to create tension in the Islamic Republic is repetition of their past mistakes, the report said.

Leaders of those countries should know that their efforts will have no impact on the stands, ideas and progressive movements of the Iranian people, Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.

It is hard for them to sow discord among the Iranian people by making hue and cry, he said.

During the annual Ashura commemorations of Shiite Muslims on Sunday, anti-government protestors clashed with the security forces in Tehran. According to local media, eight people were killed and more than 300 arrested.

Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that the Sunday anti-government protests in Tehran were a play staged by Israel and the United States, the IRNA reported.