Updated

A spokesman for Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard has criticized the 2011 storming of the British Embassy in Tehran, saying students and activists should "avoid actions driven by emotion."

Gen. Ramezan Sharif says the Islamic Republic's enemies are plotting against the country, and that Iranians in turn must deal with their enemies "more intelligently" and "avoid shallow and emotional actions" that damage Iran's image abroad.

His remarks were posted Sunday on the Guard Website, sepahnews.com.

Hard-line Iranian protesters stormed the British diplomatic compounds in November 2011. They were reportedly angry with British-backed Western sanctions to punish Tehran over its disputed nuclear program. They also accused Britain of a role in assassinating Iranian nuclear scientists. London denies the allegations.

Both countries withdrew their respective diplomats and shut their embassies after the incident.