Iran is accusing the European Union of trying to smear the country by imposing sanctions on three Iranian officials whom the EU says are helping Syria to suppress a pro-democracy uprising.

The 27-nation EU imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on three commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on Thursday, saying it suspects them of providing military equipment and support to the Syrian crackdown.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast issued a statement Sunday denying that Iran is interfering in Syria's domestic affairs and accusing the EU of “distorting reality.” He said the Syrian government and people are “mature” enough to resolve their own problems.

The three Iranian commanders were among seven individuals the EU added to its list of people and entities under sanctions for acting against the Syrian uprising. Damascus called the EU move an “act of war” and denied receiving assistance from its ally, Tehran, in trying to crush the opposition movement, which began in March.

Iran has expressed support for recent anti-government protests in much of the Arab world, but not in Syria. Iranian authorities also have crushed their own opposition demonstrations against the disputed 2009 re-election of conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.