UK accuses Tehran of aiding Syrian crackdown

Syria and Iran have a long-standing alliance Speaking on the anniversary of the 2009 Iranian presidential elections, Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague accused Iran of exporting its \"repressive techniques to its long time ally Syria” and offered  condemnation for their “feigned support” of the anti-government demonstrations that are occurring across the Arab world.
Following these comments, Tehran summoned Britain\'s top diplomat in Iran to protest the allegations that Iran was assisting Syria in its repression of citizens.
The British Foreign Ministry stood by Hague\'s statement, saying \"we have seen credible information suggesting Iran is helping Syria with the suppression of protests there, including through the provision of expertise and equipment. We had already raised this issue with the Iranian Chargé in London,\"
Hague\'s comments came as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced new sanctions against Iran, freezing the assets of the three arms of its security forces. 
She echoed Hague’s disdain for Iran’s “hypocrisy” in supporting the revolutions in the Arab world and offered her support for Iranians who wish for a government that stands for human rights.
Two years after the anti-government protests that followed the disputed presidential elections, Iran has come under increased scrutiny by the international community. Those protests saw the deaths of at least 36 people and the arrest of hundreds more.
Regimes across the region are feeling tremendous pressure as anti-government demonstrators have toppled leaders in Tunisia and Egypt and opposition groups are gaining traction in Syria, Yemen and Libya.