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Tehran on Tuesday summoned the Australian ambassador in Iran over the publication of photos from a celebration in the embassy to mark Australia's LGBTQ national day on 1 September, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

The foreign ministry summoned the Australian ambassador to Tehran, Ian McConville, and condemned the , calling it insulting and contrary to Iranian and Islamic culture, as well as international norms, the report said.

A foreign ministry statement said: "In response to the publication of an offensive post on social media by the Australian embassy in Tehran, Mr Ian McConville, the ambassador of this country, was summoned today, 3 September, by the head of the regional office to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

It said the unnamed official had strongly condemned the embassy for publishing "norm-breaking content" and had said the post was insulting and contrary to Iranian and Islamic customs and culture, must be appropriately compensated for, and a promise made to avoid a repeat. 

In response, McConville said that his country had not insulted Iran or Iranian culture, adding there was no reference to Iran in the post on Instagram.

On Monday, the embassy published a photo of McConville and his colleagues wearing colourful outfits and saying: "Today, and every day, we're dedicated to creating a supportive environment, where everyone, especially LGBTQIA+ youth, can feel proud to be themselves."

Homosexuality is illegal in Iran and can be punishable by execution under the penal code. However, under a religious decree issued 30 years ago, transgender people are allowed to seek gender transition surgery.