Iran's Foreign Ministry: Statement Attributed to European Parliament Representatives is Fabrication

Iran's Foreign Ministry states that a statement attributed to 220 members of the European Parliament regarding the 'deteriorating human rights situation in Iran' and allowing 'inspections of military and non-military sites' is 'fabrication.' The official Iranian news agency, IRNA, reported that 'after investigations, it became clear that the European Parliament has not issued any statement or official or unofficial position at this time.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry referred to a statement published on the website of Gerard Deprez, a member of the European Parliament, noting that this representative is an advocate of the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization and that 'a handful of European Parliament members have connections and collaborate with him.' Furthermore, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement, 'the majority of representatives and political groups seek positive and extensive engagement with the Islamic Republic.' The statement published on Gerard Deprez's website, which he also announced on YouTube, 'warned about the worsening human rights situation in Iran and Iran's role in the Middle Eastern crisis, while also requesting Tehran to allow surprise nuclear inspections of all its military and non-military sites.' This statement also expressed support for Maryam Rajavi, the leader of the 'National Council of Resistance of Iran,' for what it termed 'democratic change' in Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry described the authenticity of the claims made by Mr. Deprez as 'strongly questionable' and stated that 'given the knowledge of the European Parliament, the signing of such a text is likely a media stunt and manipulation by the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization in the European Parliament.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized that what it termed 'fabrication' aims to prevent the development of relations between Iran and the European Parliament.