The Iranian government has reacted angrily to British criticism of the crackdown on opposition protests in Tehran.
British ambassador to Tehran Simon Gass was summoned this morning and accused of 'interference' in state matters.
'If Britain does not stop talking nonsense it will get a slap in the mouth,' Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said. The British government said its envoy would respond 'robustly' to any criticism.
Earlier, state media broadcast details of pro-government rallies in Tehran, attended by 'tens of thousands' of people.
State-run Press TV said marchers called for the punishment of opposition leaders for fomenting unrest after June's disputed presidential poll which was won by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Tens of thousands of people chanted 'We are ready to sacrifice our lives for our Supreme Leader,' state television reported, saying the nationwide demonstrations had taken place spontaneously.
At least eight people were killed during protests on Sunday, while a subsequent government crackdown as seen over 20 prominent opposition figures arrested.
In the wake of the protests, the elite Revolutionary Guards accused foreign media of 'joining hands with the opposition to harm the Islamic state'.
Foreign media are banned from reporting directly from opposition demonstrations after the disputed election earlier this year.
There were reports of fresh clashes this morning, with opposition website Jaras saying battles between students and security forces took place in Tehran and Shiraz.
The reports could not be independently verified.
