Claims against Iran 'politically motivated'

TEHERAN, Iran - Iran on Tuesday lashed out at "politically motivated" Western accusations against Teheran over US plot claims, its human rights record and nuclear activities.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said fresh UN accusations of rights abuses in Iran were part of a Western campaign against the Islamic republic following the US assassination plot allegation and increased pressure over Teheran's nuclear program.

"The nuclear issue and human rights (issue), as well as the newly expressed (US plot) accusations, show that these moves are politically motivated with the sole aim of imposing more pressure on our nation," he told reporters.