Pompeo: We Support Our European Allies' Actions Against Iranian Threats

After Germany announced the delivery of Iranian diplomat Asadollah Asadi, suspected in a 'bombing conspiracy' case at a Mujahedin-e Khalq gathering, the U.S. Secretary of State issued a statement supporting European countries' actions regarding the case. On October 10, Mike Pompeo referred to Asadi, who was handed over to Belgium, as an 'Iranian official acting under diplomatic cover,' stating that 'the dimensions of this conspiracy, which has led to the arrest of several suspects across Europe, including in Belgium, France, and Germany, remind us that Iran remains the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism.' According to the U.S. Secretary of State, the 'bombing' conspiracy at the Mujahedin-e Khalq gathering demonstrates that 'Iran's support for terrorism continues in Europe.' Pompeo added, 'We support our European allies in the process of exposing and countering Iranian-backed terrorist threats. The United States will continue to work with allies and partners to address threats posed by the Iranian regime.' On Tuesday, Germany handed over Asadi, an Iranian diplomat suspected of orchestrating a bombing plot at the Mujahedin-e Khalq gathering in Paris, to Belgium for trial. European investigators suspect that Asadi ordered an Iranian couple living in Antwerp, Belgium, to 'attack' this gathering on July 1. This couple was arrested in Brussels while carrying 500 grams of a very powerful explosive and a detonator. The police also suspect Asadi of involvement in transferring the explosives to this couple. Iran has repeatedly denied the allegations. Bahram Qasemi, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, announced on Wednesday the summoning of the German ambassador, stating that 'the Director General for Europe at the Foreign Ministry strongly protested the arrest, imprisonment, and extradition of the Iranian diplomat during a meeting with the German ambassador.' The news agency of the Mujahedin-e Khalq described Asadi as the 'head of the intelligence station' at the Iranian embassy in Vienna, claiming he had issued the 'final order for the attack' on the July 1 gathering. However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the arrest of its diplomat was due to a 'fabricated conspiracy' by enemies of Iran-EU relations. Recent allegations against the Islamic Republic are not unprecedented, as Tehran has been accused of assassinating and killing several officials of the former regime and its opponents abroad since the 1979 revolution. The United States had previously expressed its support for the ongoing investigations and actions in Europe regarding the current case. The 'National Council of Resistance' gathering, composed of the Mujahedin-e Khalq and allied groups, was held in the suburbs of Paris, with the Mujahedin-e Khalq claiming over 25,000 participants. The event featured several former politicians and officials from the U.S., Europe, and some Middle Eastern countries, emphasizing the 'overthrow' of the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic has consistently protested against the 'Mujahedin-e Khalq' gatherings, describing them as 'open interference' in its internal affairs.