The European Union Supports France's Move to Sanction Iranian Ministry of Intelligence Assets

On Monday, November 28, the foreign ministers of the European Union expressed their support for France's action to sanction the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and two Iranian citizens accused of attempting to carry out a bombing in France. According to Reuters, citing three diplomats, the ministers present at the meeting decided to implement France's sanctions against several Iranian legal and natural persons linked to the failed Paris attack across all member countries of the EU, and the technical steps for this decision have begun. France announced on October 1 that it had seized assets belonging to the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and two Iranian citizens due to their connection to the failed attack on a Paris conference; it was also reported last week that an Iranian diplomat was expelled from France. The conference of the People's Mujahedin Organization was held on July 9 in the suburbs of Paris, and following it, French officials announced the neutralization of a plot to attack this conference. Subsequently, an Iranian diplomat in Europe, named Assadollah Assadi, was arrested as the main suspect in this failed plot. This diplomat is accused of providing about half a kilogram of explosives to a couple residing in Belgium to carry out the attack on the Paris conference. The People's Mujahedin Organization identified the couple as Amir Saadouni and Nasrin Nomani. Iran has strongly denied these accusations, calling them a 'ridiculous show.' Reuters described the support of the EU foreign ministers for France's decision on Monday as 'largely symbolic,' but stated that this support represents a turning point after several months of disagreement over how to punish Iran for its 'destabilizing actions in Europe and the Middle East.' Denmark's Request for Similar Action Reuters reported that Denmark also called for similar support in the EU foreign ministers' meeting on Monday. According to the report, Denmark, noting that its investigation into the recent neutralized plot in the country is ongoing, requested the implementation of measures at the EU level after the investigation concludes. Danish officials three weeks ago announced the discovery of a plot to assassinate one of the activists of the 'Ahvaz' group on Danish soil, accusing the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence of involvement in this plot. Denmark summoned the Iranian ambassador in Copenhagen and recalled its ambassador from Tehran. Iran has also denied this accusation, with the Iranian Minister of Intelligence calling it a 'Zionist conspiracy.' Reuters described the support of EU foreign ministers for France's decision to sanction several Iranian individuals and entities as 'largely symbolic.'