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Iran's Envoy to the UK Accuses European States of Sheltering Terrorists

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Earlier, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif condemned the EU over its decision to add two Iranian nationals and the Iranian Intelligence Ministry's Directorate for Internal Security to its "terrorist list", following an alleged murder plot in Denmark, saying that Europe shelters militants responsible for the murder of thousands of its citizens.

Iranian Ambassador to the UK Hamid Baeidinejad has lashed out at the European Union over what he said was its "hypocrisy" in listing Iranian nationals and organisations in its "terrorist list" while allowing actual terrorists to operate freely.

"Unfortunately, European countries have become a safe haven and a shelter not only for the MKO, but also for representatives of new terrorist and separatist groups which are openly pursuing Iran's disintegration," Baeidinejad said in a tweet, referring to the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MKO), a self-described Islamic socialist group whose military wing has actively looked to overthrow the Iranian government.

According to the diplomat, the freedom to operate which these Iranian terrorist groups enjoy in Europe has given them opportunities to plot attacks inside Iran, and otherwise work to try to threaten the country.

"The Iranian people do not see the prospect of giving these hateful groups [safe haven]…as a manifestation of political freedom," Baeidinejad stressed.

From left, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Defense James Mattis and national security adviser John Bolton attend a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House in Washington. U.S., May 17, 2018 - Sputnik International
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Baeidinejad's remarks were made in response to the European Union's decision this week to impose sanctions against two Iranian nationals and a branch of the Iranian Intelligence Ministry after accusing Tehran of being responsible for a recent alleged murder plot in Denmark, which was foiled.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused EU members, including the Danes, Dutch and French, of harbouring MKO militants, whom he said had killed 12,000 Iranians.

Founded in 1965, the MKO took part in the overthrowal of the Shah, and continued to operate following the Iranian Revolution of 1979. The United States, the European Union, and Canada removed their designation of the MKO as a terrorist group between 2009 and 2012. Iran and Iraq continue to view the MKO as a terrorist organisation. According to US journalist Seymour Hersh, despite any perceived ideological differences, the US has provided the MKO with support due to its ambition to overthrow the Iranian government.

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