国际英语新闻：Iran's parliament mulling severing ties with Britain

TEHRAN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Parliament (Majlis) referred a bill to the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Majlis, calling for severing diplomatic ties with Britain, local satellite Press TV reported on Wednesday.

 "The bill, which was on the parliament's agenda this morning, was referred to the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee for further expert review," senior lawmaker Kazem Jalali told reporters on Wednesday.

    "We have studied this matter before. The committee believes that we should sever our ties with Britain," Jalali was quoted as saying.

    "Relevant bodies, such as the Foreign Ministry and the Supreme National Security Council, would be consulted," said the lawmaker without further explanation.

    Iranian authorities, especially the lawmakers, have constantly accused Britain of interfering in Iran's internal affairs and supporting Iran's opposition groups, a charge been rejected by London.

    Some 45 people, including a number of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders, were killed in a deadly bomb attack in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan in October.

    Iran has accused the United States and Britain of aiding the attackers.

    Iran has also blamed Britain of baking the unrest which gripped Tehran and other Iranian cities after the June 12 presidential election, amid claims that the vote had been rigged in favor of incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Britain also rejected the accusation.