Iran blocks the visit of EU delegation

BRUSSELS: Iranian authorities blocked at the last moment a trip by a European Parliament delegation that also planned meetings with the opposition there, an EU lawmaker said Monday.

The chair of the delegation, Barbara Lochbihler, said the five-day trip was going to start on Thursday but was blocked over the weekend by Iran's embassy in Brussels.

The Iranian embassy confirmed the measure to keep the 11 legislators out but refused to comment further.

The German lawmaker Lochbihler said Monday the move was "further proof of the Iranian authorities' blank refusal to allow any serious discussion" about the unrest in the country.

At least eight people died in clashes between security forces and opposition supporters across Iran late last month, in what was the worst bloodshed since the height of the unrest immediately after disputed June presidential election.

An EU delegation visits Iran about once every two years and previously they have not encountered problems in meeting the opposition or minority leaders.