Iran: U.S. Defense chief allegations a 'big lie'

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has described accusations by the US secretary of defense against Tehran as a "big lie," Press TV reported.

The American new defense chief Leon Panetta, who is on an official but surprise visit to Iraq, claimed on Monday that the US is "very concerned about Iran and the weapons they're providing to extremists in Iraq."

The Iranian official mocked the unsubstantiated US claim by saying, "It seems that the Americans do not have a favorable position in the region, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, so they are making every effort to continue their presence in these countries at any cost."

Mehmanparast added that Washington was making desperate efforts to find a way extend its stay in the region "since the Americans are facing a widespread wave of opposition by the Iraqi people, government and [political] parties, and they must leave Iraq by the end of 2011 and Afghanistan by the end of 2014."

On Monday, Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi also rejected Panetta's allegations.

"The international community and world public opinion are well aware that Iran as a responsible country has always behaved in a way [that has seen] its duties carried out well," Salehi said.


/Trend/