Ali Larijani, one of the regime’s most senior figures, said Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech had been subject to “abusive misinterpretation” by “certain Western media and certain countries”.

He also told the student news agency ISNA that the scandal was merely “media manipulation” aimed at spreading suspicions that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons.

“The position of Iran on Palestine has not changed: it is the Palestinians who should defend their own rights and decide on their own fate,” said Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and in charge of Iran’s nuclear negotiations.

“Zionist and American officials have often called for a change in the Iranian regime, but never caused an impact like this,” Larijani complained.

“It is a psychological war orchestrated by the media who want to weaken Iran in international institutions.”