Iran criticises Blair's new role

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman today criticised the recent appointment of Tony Blair as an international Mideast envoy, but expressed hope that Gordon Brown would relieve tensions between the two countries.

Mr Blair is to work as the envoy to the Quartet of Mideast peace mediators, which includes the US, Russia, the UN and the EU.

“He has not had a good record and reputation in the region,” said spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini.

“He cannot be a good choice and he is not able to have a positive impact on the current development of the Middle East.”

Mr Blair faces anger in the Mideast over his support for the war in Iraq and suspicion that is a lackey of US President George Bush.

However, Hosseini spoke positively of Mr Brown, saying he could improve Britain’s relationship with Iran.

“We welcome the election of Mr Gordon Brown as British prime minister,” said Hosseini. “We hope that the past policy of Britain, in accusing Iran and creating tension in relations, will be revised and instead a suitable ground for the promotion of ties between the two countries will be prepared.”

Relations between Britain and Iran have been turbulent over the past several months. Most recently, Iran was angered by Britain’s decision to honour author Salman Rushdie with a knighthood in June.

Rushdie went into hiding after Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini issued a 1989 fatwa, or religious edict, ordering Muslims to kill the author because his novel “The Satanic Verses” allegedly insulted Islam.

The decision came months after Iran detained 15 British sailors and marines in March for allegedly entering the country’s territorial waters in the Persian Gulf – a claim Britain denies. The 15 were released after nearly two weeks in captivity.

Relations with London are also tense over Iran’s controversial nuclear program, which Tehran claims is for peaceful purposes, but many Western countries, including Britain, suspect is cover for a weapons program.