Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Belgium, and Hajjah Lhabib, the Foreign Minister of Belgium, were questioned in the Belgian Parliament regarding the scandal of granting visas to Iranian and Russian delegations. Just three weeks after the release of a Belgian aid worker from the prisons of the Islamic Republic, the Belgian Foreign Minister faced scrutiny for approving visa requests from countries 'under international sanctions' in the Belgian Parliament. In this confrontation, De Croo and Lhabib defended their decision by citing 'avoiding diplomatic conflict with the Islamic Republic' following the release of the Belgian aid worker and three other Europeans. On the other hand, opposition representatives challenged their arguments, as the Iranian delegation filmed Darya Safai, a Belgian-Iranian MP, and members of the Iranian opposition during their visit to Brussels, raising concerns about Safai's security in Belgium. While the far-right party has called for De Croo's resignation, Foreign Minister Lhabib is also facing calls from several parliament members to step down. Darya Safai tweeted on June 19, 'We will stand against the normalization of the Islamic Republic's crimes in the West. Now it's time for the Belgian Foreign Minister to resign. He must also resign.' In an interview with 'Matin Premier' radio, she questioned, 'Why does he accept terrorists to come to Brussels just three weeks after the release of Olivier Vandecasteele [Hajjah Lhabib]?'. In this context, Pascal Smets, responsible for urban planning and international affairs in the Brussels municipality, resigned on Sunday, June 18, following the controversy over the invitation of Alireza Zakhani, the mayor of Tehran, to the Belgian capital. The Tehran municipality's account of Zakhani's trip to Brussels was that it was good. The controversial visa granted to Zakhani and the Russians; 'It's time for the Belgian Foreign Minister to resign.' The uproar over the presence of a 'terrorist Basij' in Brussels; a Belgian official resigned due to the invitation of Zakhani. The Islamic Republic claimed: 'Asadi and Noori have dedicated their lives to freedom, peace, and establishing security for humanity.' Olivier Vandecasteele, after returning to Belgium: 'Let's work for the release of other hostages.'
The Troubles of Zakhani's Trip to Brussels and Asadi's Release; Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Under Pressure to Resign
Belgian officials are facing backlash for granting visas to Iranian and Russian delegations, particularly after the recent release of a Belgian aid worker from Iranian custody. Opposition members are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister De Croo and Foreign Minister Lhabib due to concerns over security and normalization of relations with the Islamic Republic. This situation highlights the tensions surrounding diplomatic relations with Iran and the implications for European politics.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Belgian officials are under pressure to resign after granting visas to Iranian and Russian delegations, shortly after a Belgian aid worker's release from Iran. The decision has sparked security concerns and political controversy in Belgium.
- Belgian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister defended their visa decisions in Parliament.
- Darya Safai and opposition parties are calling for resignations over security concerns.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Belgium's diplomatic relations with Iran are sensitive due to ongoing sanctions and recent prisoner releases. The controversy reflects broader European challenges in engaging with Iran.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%