US Official's Trip to Europe to Discuss 'Iran's Support for Terrorism'

On Tuesday, the US State Department announced that the senior US diplomat for counterterrorism will travel to several European countries to discuss Iran's support for terrorism in Europe. According to the State Department's statement, Nathan Sales, the coordinator for counterterrorism, will visit Denmark, Sweden, and Norway during the week of January 28 to negotiate on Iranian-backed terrorism in Europe, the pursuit of foreign terrorists, and combating terrorist travel. The US State Department emphasized that 'Iran remains the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism.' In recent years, this regime has directed terrorist activities in France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Albania, and elsewhere. The State Department also stated that Nathan Sales will discuss the travel of terrorist forces to join ISIS with officials in these countries. According to this statement, the US is calling for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2396, which obligates UN member states to exchange information regarding suspected individuals. The European Union is imposing sanctions on Iran due to its 'assassination plots on European soil.' While the US State Department refers to Iran's actions in some European countries, the Islamic Republic has been embroiled in diplomatic tensions with various European countries over accusations of its agents' involvement in bombings and assassination attempts against its opponents. France and Denmark claim to have thwarted plots by Iranian diplomatic and security agents to attack opponents of the Islamic Republic. In this context, Germany arrested an Iranian diplomat stationed in Austria named 'Asadollah Asadi' in Bavaria, accusing him of providing explosives to a couple for an attack on the Mojahedin-e Khalq gathering on July 9 in the suburbs of Paris. This diplomat has been handed over to Belgium. On October 2, France froze assets belonging to Iranian intelligence services and two Iranian citizens in response to the 'attack plot' against this gathering and expelled an Iranian diplomat in early November. Bahram Qasemi, the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, reacted to these accusations, stating that any 'terrorist action' by the Islamic Republic is condemned, and that 'given the existing documents and evidence, the role of adversaries, ill-wishers, and known destructive agents in designing this ridiculous show is clear.' On the other hand, Iranian security agencies have been accused of being behind the assassination attempt on a political dissident in the Netherlands and a member of the 'Ahvaz Movement' in Denmark. Denmark strongly protested to Iran and recalled its ambassador from Tehran. The Netherlands also expelled two Iranian diplomats. Albania expelled the Iranian ambassador and one Iranian diplomat on suspicion of illegal activities that endangered national security. In this context, Germany arrested a military advisor on charges of espionage for Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry reacted to the EU sanctions by threatening 'retaliatory action.' Albania expelled the 'ambassador and one Iranian diplomat' for security reasons. The EU is imposing sanctions on Iran due to 'assassination plots on European soil.' Iran has been accused of preparing an attack; Denmark recalled its ambassador from Tehran. France expelled an Iranian diplomat in connection with an 'unsuccessful bombing plot.'