MKO Scenario Devised to Harm Iran-Europe Ties: Spokesman

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said the recent reports on the role of Iranian nationals in an alleged plot to bomb an MKO gathering in Paris are part of a scenario to deal a blow to Iran-Europe relations "at this important and sensitive juncture".

News ID: 71065

Date: 04 July 2018 - 10:32

TEHRAN (Defapress) –Qassemi made the comment on Tuesday in response to a question posed by a reporter regarding a baseless claim that an Iranian diplomat was involved in an illegal move in a European country.

"After failing in its annual meeting and in order to make up for its failure to win political support to advance its anti-human and anti-Iran objectives, and given the Iranian president's successful trips to Switzerland and Austria, the terrorist Mujahedeen-e-Khalq Organization (MKO) began to orchestrate and implement another scenario like before in order to affect the (Iranian president's) tour of Europe,” Qassemi said.

He added that the MKO terrorists try to undermine the status and position of Iran and Iranians in the court of public opinion in Europe.

"As the Islamic Republic of Iran has announced time and again, it condemns and rejects any act of violence and terror in any form and in any place across the world," he stressed.

"Based on the information available, the individuals arrested in Belgium are among the MKOs notorious and operational elements.”

“Relevant Iranian authorities are prepared to offer the necessary cooperation by presenting the required documents and evidence to shed light on the real dimensions of this pre-planned scenario orchestrated by the terrorist group," he added.

On Monday, Belgian authorities said an Iranian diplomat was arrested, along with two other people, on suspicion of plotting a bomb attack on a meeting of the MKO terrorist group in France.

A joint statement by Belgium's top prosecutor and its intelligence services said a 38-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman had been intercepted by Belgian agents on June 30.

The two would be charged with attempted terrorist murder and preparation of a terrorist act, media reports said.

The diplomat at the Iranian Embassy in Vienna was arrested in Germany, according to the Belgian statement, which was released on July 2.

The report came as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani started his official visits to Switzerland and Austria on Monday to hold talks with senior officials of the European countries about a range of topics, including bilateral relations and the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

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