EU parliament head says ready for Iran mission

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The head of the European Parliament offered on Wednesday to lead a mission of EU lawmakers to Iran to help defuse the tense situation following a disputed June 12 presidential election.

"The aim of this delegation would be to meet with Iranian authorities, as well as with members of peaceful opposition groups," Hans-Gert Pottering, president of the European Parliament, said in a statement.

"We are willing to offer our support and mediation to bring about a peaceful solution," he said.

Since official results showed hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won re-election by a landslide but disputed by his challengers, Iran has been racked by days of street protests. State media has blamed the violence on "terrorists" and "vandals".

Citing the violence against demonstrators, the expulsion of diplomats and arrests of journalists, Pottering urged the Iranian authorities to respect fundamental freedoms.

"The ongoing breach of the freedom of expression and the freedom to demonstrate by the Iranian authorities is utterly unacceptable," he said.