Iran summons Britain’s ambassador

Iran summoned Britain’s ambassador for the second time since nationwide protests erupted last month, Iranian media reported, stepping up accusations of Western meddling in ongoing unrest sparked by a woman’s death in police custody, Reuters reported.

Iran has accused foes including the United States of orchestrating the unrest, which marks the biggest challenge to the country’s clerical rulers in years with protesters calling for the downfall of the regime.

People across Iran have joined protests since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the custody of morality police who detained her in Tehran on Sept. 13 for “inappropriate attire.”

Videos shared on social media on Wednesday showed high school girls in Tehran taking off their headscarves and chanting “death to (Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei.”

Reuters could not independently verify the videos.

The authorities are waging a deadly crackdown to suppress the unrest, suggesting concern at the scope of the protests even if observers do not believe the government is close to being toppled.

Witnesses told Reuters riot police were deployed heavily in several cities on Wednesday, particularly around universities — a focal point of protests.

“There are lots of security forces around Tehran University. I am even scared to leave the campus. Lots of police vans are waiting outside to arrest students,” a Tehran student said.

The British envoy, previously summoned on Sept. 24, was summoned again on Tuesday in reaction to “interventionist comments” from the British foreign ministry, the semi-official news agency Tasnim reported.

A senior foreign ministry official said “unilateral statements” by Britain showed it had “a role in the belligerent scenarios of terrorists active against the Islamic Republic,” Tasnim said.

The agency did not elaborate on the accusations, but the official added that Tehran would consider possible options in response to any unusual actions from Britain.