Britain, U.S. and others slam Iran over alleged assassinations

Fourteen Western allies have condemn Iranian Intelligence services, accusing it of a surge in alleged assassinations targeting individuals in Europe and North America.

U.S., UK and 12 other allies including France, Germany and Canada have also condemned Iran for alleged kidnapping and harassment plots calling the actions a breach of their sovereignty.

The countries said in a joint statement on Thursday "We are united in our opposition to the attempts of Iranian intelligence services to kill, kidnap, and harass people in Europe and North America in clear violation of our sovereignty." 

The statement was backed by Albania, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the U.S., who urged Iran to halt the operations, which they said are often carried out in partnership with international criminal networks. 

Tehran rejected the allegations. Iran's foreign ministry described them as "blatant fabrications and a diversionary tactic, part of a malicious campaign of Iranophobia aimed at pressuring the Iranian people."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei added, "The U.S. France, and the other signatories of the anti-Iranian statement must be held accountable for their support and hosting of terrorist and violent groups, which constitutes a violation of international law and support for terrorism." 

Baghaei was referring to exiled opposition groups such as the Mujahadeen-e-Khalq, formerly designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union, now active in the West. 

According to British authorities, more than 20 Iran-linked plots have been disrupted since early 2022, including ones targeting British nationals. 

Reuters previously reported in October that Iran was behind a wave of attempted assassinations and abductions across Europe and the U.S. 

In March, the UK said it would require Iran to register all political influence activity due to Tehran's increasingly aggressive behaviour. 

Copied