TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jabari Ansari reiterated on Monday that the country is independent and does not need any advice from foreign parties on the upcoming parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections due to be held on Friday.

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) recently encouraged Iranian people not to vote for certain Iranian candidates in the Assembly of Experts elections, which will be held on February 26.

�The Islamic Republic of Iran�s position (on BBC�s move) is a clear one; an important achievement of Iran�s Islamic Revolution is independence and freedom, and the vigilant nation of Iran does not need the advice of any foreign player,� Jaberi Ansari said in his weekly press conference.

�We are sure that, in the upcoming elections, the Iranian nation will prepare the grounds for the expansion of Islamic Republic�s power at the international and regional level through their massive participation and vigilant and conscious choice,� he asserted.

His comments came after Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces complained about the Iranian diplomatic body�s muted response to the recent attempts by BBC to influence the outcome of the upcoming elections in Iran.

�The (Iranian) Foreign Ministry�s silence on the British interference in our country�s internal affairs raises doubts,� Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri said on Monday.

He called on the Foreign Ministry to show �decisive and proportional� reaction to the British government and embassy in Iran because of BBC�s brazen interference in the country�s domestic issues.

�People of Iran expect the administration to take action in this regard and silence the voice of the devil,� the general noted.

The Assembly of Experts and parliamentary elections will be held simultaneously on February 26.

By Tasnim News Agency