US Secretary of State welcomes Albania's move to expel Islamic Republic agents
The US Secretary of State, thanking Albania for its action in expelling two Islamic Republic agents, noted that three Iranian plots in Europe were thwarted in the past year.
Mike Pompeo tweeted on Wednesday: "I commend Prime Minister Edi Rama for expelling two Iranian agents who were plotting terrorist attacks in Albania."
The US Secretary of State added: "This year alone, European countries have thwarted three Iranian regime plots. The world must unite in imposing sanctions on the Iranian regime until it changes its destructive behavior."
On Wednesday, Albania's Foreign Ministry expelled two diplomats from the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling them "undesirable elements." The country did not name the diplomats, but the statement said the two had taken actions that endangered the security of the host country.
A spokesman for the Albanian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats was decided following consultations with other countries, including Israel.
In recent months, several European countries have expelled diplomats from the Islamic Republic. Among them, the Netherlands expelled two attachés from the Islamic Republic's embassy in July of this year.
European countries have not yet stated the reason for these expulsions, but the judicial systems of some European countries have spoken of the Islamic Republic's terrorist plans and programs.
This summer, Assadollah Asadi, an Iranian diplomat at the Austrian embassy, was accused of trying to plan an explosion at the annual meeting of the People's Mojahedin (MEK). Six months ago, a dissident Iranian was murdered in the Netherlands.
Albania does not have many relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, but in recent years, after agreements made with the United Nations, the country has hosted about two thousand members of the People's Mojahedin (MEK) who were transferred to the country from Iraq.
Source: Voice of America
