A representative of Iran’s foreign ministry, in the meeting with French Ambassador Francois Senemaud, “emphasized that no extremist group with terrorist nature – even if it is trivial or small – should be provided with an opportunity to promote extremism and terrorism under the pretext of freedom of expression,” according to a ministry statement.
The meeting had taken place on Tuesday “to express the Islamic Republic’s harsh protest against France for its support for the MKO terrorist group.”
Iran’s controversial opposition movement, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK, MKO), held its annual conference in Paris over the weekend. A number of prominent US figures spoke at the event, advocating regime change in Tehran.
Iran’s foreign ministry protested to the French ambassador about “meddlesome and divisive statements” made by US officials at the event.
MEK is banned in Iran.
After the rally, Belgium, France, and Germany detained six people over an alleged bomb plot on the conference. One of the detained is an Iranian diplomat posted to Vienna.
Tehran has alleged that an Iranian couple arrested in Belgium are actually members of MEK. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahram Qassemi accused MEK of trying to undermine Iran’s position in Europe.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is currently in Europe in a bid to salvage the nuclear deal before US-imposed sanctions come into force next month.
