US, Allies Condemn Iranian Plots in Europe, North America

The United States, Britain, France, Canada, other NATO allies, and Austria have issued a joint statement condemning a rise in assassination, kidnapping, and harassment plots attributed to Iranian intelligence services in Europe and North America. The statement highlights recent incidents, including at least 15 Iranian-linked murder and kidnap attempts in the UK since 2022 and a thwarted assassination attempt in the Netherlands in 2024. The governments accuse Iran of collaborating with international criminal organizations to target journalists, dissidents, Jewish citizens, and current and former officials, calling these actions violations of sovereignty. The joint declaration demands that Iran immediately halt such activities and reaffirms international cooperation to address these threats. Iran’s embassy in London has denied the allegations, calling them unfounded and politically motivated. This escalation underscores Western concerns over state-sponsored violence targeting dissidents and minorities abroad.