Iran demands EU apology

Iran, stung by European Union criticism of its handling of post-election unrest, yesterday accused the 27-nation bloc of meddling and demanded an apology before any more talks on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.

Iran's top military commander laid down the condition amid continued recriminations over the June 12 presidential election that returned hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power, beating rivals who insist the vote was rigged in his favour.

"Because of the interference of this (EU) group in the post-election riots... they have lost their qualification to hold nuclear talks with Iran," Major-General Hassan Firouzabadi was quoted as saying by the semi-official Fars news agency.

Three EU powers, Britain, France and Germany, have led negotiations with Iran over nuclear work which the West suspects is aimed at bomb-making. "Before apologising for their huge mistake... they have no right to talk about nuclear negotiations," Major-General Firouzabadi said.

Meanwhile Sweden vowed to protect staff at EU embassies in Iran yesterday, the first day of its EU presidency, but Tehran accused it of interfering in its affairs.

Deteriorating relations with Iran could pose a big challenge for Sweden in its six-month presidency, during which it wants to guide Europe out of its worst economic crisis in decades and agree an EU position for climate change talks.

One EU diplomat said countries in the 27-nation bloc were discussing a proposal to withdraw their envoys from Iran in protest at its detention of three British embassy employees. Germany and Italy were among those sceptical of such a move, he said.

"We have to show solidarity and present a united front in the EU, and we have to discuss what measures might be involved," Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt told a news conference marking the handover of the EU presidency.

Mr Reinfeldt said the bloc was watching events in Iran but denied a media report that EU states had already agreed to withdraw their ambassadors from Iran in a joint protest.

He said the EU wanted to show support for calls for reform but must not "polarise Iran from the rest of the world so that we are made an excuse for the use of violence and oppression inside Iran. That is the balance that needs to be struck."

The 27-nation bloc has led international criticism of the June 12 presidential election that returned hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power and prompted street protests and a crackdown in which about 20 people were reported killed.

But world leaders already have sanctions in place against Iran and their leverage is limited, particularly as they want to keep their powder dry for talks on Iran's nuclear programme and the US has opened the door to dialogue with Iran.

The EU has said it will not let foreign embassy staff be harassed in Iran, and Mr Reinfeldt and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt made clear the Union was in contact with Tehran on the issue.

"We have to take action both in our countries to protect the Iranian diplomatic missions and they have to ensure that staff at the European embassies are not subject to harassment by the authorities. So that's an ongoing dialogue where we are showing both European strength and solidarity," Mr Bildt said.