Denmark Releases Further Details on Iran Assassination Plot
Danish government officials released further details about a plan by Iran’s security officials to assassinate several Iranian opposition members in Denmark. The European Commission announced its solidarity with Denmark on Wednesday in Brussels.
Denmark’s Security and Intelligence Service released further details on Wednesday, November 9 (October 31) about a plan to assassinate Iranian exiles living in Denmark by Iran’s intelligence officials.
Denmark’s Security and Intelligence Service announced that a suspect man had been taking photographs of the residence of “a leader of a separatist movement in Iran” who lives in Denmark. The agency saw a threat to the life of the aforementioned leader and therefore launched extensive operations on September 28 in the eastern part of the country to arrest the man, whose activities had disrupted that part of the country.
The 39-year-old Norwegian man of Iranian origin was ultimately arrested on October 21 in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden. According to the Norwegian radio station NRK, the man had been in Iran shortly before his arrest.
Danish authorities believe the man is a spy and cooperated in planning an assassination in the country. The Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post reported that the Israeli government had also provided guidance to Danish authorities on this matter.
Accusations Against the Islamic Republic
After leveling accusations against the Islamic Republic for attempting to assassinate its opponents on Danish soil, Anders Samuelsen, Denmark’s foreign minister, recalled his ambassador from Tehran.
Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s prime minister, also announced that on Wednesday, November 9 (October 31), he would negotiate with Denmark’s “allies and partners” in the European Union over possible sanctions against Tehran. He called for a “united response” from the European Union to Iran’s action.
Denmark’s prime minister met with Theresa May, his British counterpart, within the framework of the Northern European leaders’ meeting in Oslo and thanked her for supporting his country’s positions. He said: “We will stand against Iran in close cooperation with Britain and other countries.”
Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s prime minister, said on Wednesday, November 9 (October 31) in the city of Oslo in response to journalists: “Iran must understand that we know what has happened and this country must know that we will not tolerate such incidents.”
Although Iran has so far rejected all these accusations, the European Commission announced on Wednesday in Brussels: “We take any threat to Europe’s security very seriously and for this reason we declare our solidarity with Denmark, which is a member of the European Union.”
The Fate of the JCPOA
However, the European Commission continues to try to save the JCPOA; an agreement that has found itself in uncertain circumstances with America’s withdrawal from it. The European Commission spokesperson called the nuclear agreement with Iran an important element for establishing security on Wednesday.
The European Commission spokesperson also emphasized that respect for the JCPOA does not mean that other issues should be forgotten. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s prime minister, also emphasized that his country is committed to the JCPOA.
On Tuesday, November 8 (October 30), Denmark accused Iran of planning to assassinate three Iranians in the country who are members of the Al-Ahwaziyah group, an Arab struggle movement for the liberation of Ahvaz.
Following the terrorist attack on September 31 (September 22) on a military parade ceremony in which at least 24 people were killed, Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Denmark, the Netherlands, and Britain of harboring “some” of those whom it called “members of terrorist groups hired to commit the Ahvaz crime.”
Head of Rouhani’s Office: Some Are Trying to Create Discord in Iran-Europe Relations
On Wednesday, Mahmoud Vaezi, head of the office of Iran’s president, also provided clarifications regarding Denmark’s accusations that the Islamic Republic was attempting to carry out assassination operations against several opposition figures in the country, saying: “Immediately yesterday, the president ordered a thorough investigation. What has appeared in the news cannot be acceptable. On the eve of November 13 and the start of alleged sanctions, some are trying to change the atmosphere. Iran-Europe relations and JCPOA negotiations are progressing well and some are seeking to create discord in these relations.”
Source: DW
