The "irrational" foreign policies of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have created a "worrisome situation" in Iran, an opposition leader said Sunday, dpa reported.
"Irrational foreign policies together wit suppression of critics at home has created a very worrisome situation in the country," the moderate cleric Mehdi Karroubi was quoted by opposition websites as saying.
Karroubi was referring to Ahmadinejad's uncompromising stance in the nuclear dispute which led to a fourth United Nations Security Council resolution and sanctions against the Islamic state, as well as his degrading comments on the UN.
"Instead of irresponsible rhetoric and spreading lies, the gentlemen (in the government) should rather take away excuses from the enemies and avoid renewed sanctions," Karroubi said in a meeting with families of political prisoners.
The cleric and former parliament speaker said Ahmadinejad should first stop suppressing his own people and settle internal disputes by releasing all political prisoners, lifting bans on political parties and allowing press freedom.
The opposition, led by the Karroubi, former premier Mir-Hossein Moussavi and ex-presidents Mohammad Khatami and Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, accuse Ahmadinejad of massive fraud in last year's presidential election and refuse to acknowledge his victory.
Scores of demonstrators were killed and thousands arrested in the political unrest after the disputed election, and more than 100 dissidents are reportedly still in prison.
Two members of monarchist groups were hanged in January for conspiring to topple the Islamic establishment and at least 10 people have reportedly been sentenced to death and are currently going through the appeals process.