Netanyahu Calls for Stronger European Stance Against Iran Following Paris Incident

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following the arrest of an Iranian diplomat during investigations related to a 'plot to attack the National Council of Resistance' conference in the outskirts of Paris, has called for a stronger European stance against Tehran. On July 4th, Netanyahu stated in a speech in northern Israel, 'It was not a coincidence that this attack [on the National Council of Resistance] was thwarted.' He added, 'I urge European leaders: stop financially supporting a terrorist regime that funds terrorist operations in your land. End the policy of appeasement and weakness towards Iran.' Netanyahu's remarks refer to events surrounding the 'National Council of Resistance' conference and its affiliated organization, the 'People's Mujahedin of Iran,' which took place on July 9th in the outskirts of Paris. At this conference, Maryam Rajavi, the leader of this opposition group, was joined by Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York and legal advisor to Donald Trump, Bill Richardson, former U.S. representative to the United Nations, and several other former Western officials. Shortly after, an Iranian couple was arrested on suspicion of 'conspiracy to attack and bomb' at the event. Subsequently, the Belgian federal prosecutor announced that an Iranian diplomat in Germany had also been arrested on charges of connections to this couple. The arrested diplomat works at the Iranian embassy in Austria. These events occurred just before Hassan Rouhani's trip to Switzerland and Austria and his meetings with European officials to secure guarantees for maintaining the nuclear agreement. Trump, a staunch opponent of the nuclear deal, withdrew his administration from it in May. Netanyahu is also against the JCPOA. Maryam Rajavi has accused Tehran of 'misusing the JCPOA.' European countries, China, and Russia, other parties in negotiations with Iran, support the JCPOA and claim it helps prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. During his speech on July 4th, Netanyahu, referring to Rouhani's trip to Europe, stated that this plot was thwarted at the same time the Iranian president was seeking guarantees regarding the nuclear agreement in Europe, calling it 'an example of Iran's boundless hypocrisy.' He added, 'I tell you these efforts will yield no results... even when Iran plans a terrorist attack on French soil in Europe. It was not a coincidence that this plot was thwarted.' On the other hand, Iran claims these events are a 'scenario' to undermine relations between Iran and Europe. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that this case reminds them of the self-immolation of members of the People's Mujahedin during Maryam Rajavi's arrest in Paris. On Wednesday, the Austrian Chancellor asked the Iranian president to cooperate with the Austrian government for 'full transparency' regarding the accusations against the Iranian diplomat. The National Council of Resistance has called for the closure of Iranian embassies in European countries. Heather Nauert, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated on July 2nd that the U.S. is closely monitoring reports related to the incident.