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LeMonde
3 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
US and allies accuse Iran of plotting assassinations in the West
The United States and more than a dozen of its allies on Thursday, July 31, accused Iran of attempting to kill or kidnap people in Western countries, including dissidents, journalists and officials. "We are united in our opposition to the attempts of Iranian intelligence services to kill, kidnap, and harass people in Europe and North America in clear violation of our sovereignty," the countries said in a joint statement. "These services are increasingly collaborating with international criminal organizations to target journalists, dissidents, Jewish citizens, and current and former officials in Europe and North America. This is unacceptable," the statement said. A UK parliamentary committee earlier this month blamed Iran for at least 15 attempts to kill or kidnap British-based individuals since 2022. Dutch intelligence meanwhile accused Tehran of staging a 2024 assassination attempt on an Iranian living in that country. The plot was thwarted when police intervened and arrested two suspects. One of the two people detained was also suspected of involvement in attempting to kill Spanish right-wing politician Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a supporter of the Iranian opposition who was shot in Madrid the same year. And the US Justice Department announced the indictment in 2023 of three members of a European criminal gang who allegedly undertook a Tehran-backed plot to assassinate a dissident Iranian-American journalist.
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Spanish court says attempt on former politician's life linked to opposition to Iran leadership
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Spain's Vox party co-founder Alejo Vidal-Quadras speaks at a protest by conservative and right wing parties and civil society organizations against Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at Cibeles Sqaure in Madrid, Spain, March 9, 2024. REUTERS/Ana Beltran/File Photo MADRID - Spain's High Court charged eight individuals on Wednesday with the attempted assassination of former right wing politician Alejo Vidal-Quadras over his ties to an Iranian opposition group and support for dissident groups. Vidal-Quadras, 80, a founder of Spain's far-right Vox party, was shot in the face by a motorbike pillion passenger as he walked through Madrid's upscale Salamanca neighbourhood on November 9, 2023. The bullet passed through his jaw. Investigating judge Santiago Pedraz said the assault was ordered by unidentified individuals seeking revenge for Vidal-Quadras' advocacy for resistance to Iran's clerical government. "Unidentified individuals instructed members of the criminal carry out 'a mission' consisting of ending the life of Alejo Vidal-Quadras," the judge said in a court document seen by Reuters. The suspects, Pedraz said, were part of a coordinated group involved in crimes targeting the lives of individuals, with some members reportedly under investigation in multiple countries. The Dutch intelligence agency said earlier this year it suspected Tehran of being behind two assassination attempts in Europe. The suspected hitman in the Vidal-Quadras case was arrested in Netherlands, where he is also linked to an assassination attempt on an Iranian resident. The eight suspects, charged with membership in a criminal organisation and attempted terrorist murder, are alleged to have procured materials such as vehicles, funds and weapons as part of their operation, the judge said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore to hire more than 1,000 new educators annually in the next few years, up from 700 Singapore COE prices rise for all categories Singapore Tough questions lie ahead as Singapore accelerates push for driverless vehicles Singapore Man who killed cats by throwing them off HDB blocks has jail term doubled to 27 months Singapore $43k fine for undischarged bankrupt doctor who failed to disclose assets worth over $4m Singapore Female primary school teacher charged over alleged sex acts with underage male student Singapore S'pore's open trade system, trusted regulatory framework a draw for chemicals sector: Tan See Leng Singapore People working in air-conditioned spaces prefer 24 deg C and warmer: Survey "I am very happy that the judge has produced this statement because that reflects the reality of the case," Vidal-Quadras told Reuters on Wednesday. "Let's hope that now the government will take some action." Prosecutors and defence lawyers may appeal the charges before the case moves to trial. Iran had included Vidal-Quadras on a sanctions list in October 2022, in retaliation for EU sanctions imposed after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurd arrested for allegedly flouting Iran's mandatory dress code. REUTERS
Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Iran summons Dutch envoy to protest assassination attempts claim
The Iranian foreign ministry summoned the Dutch ambassador to Tehran on Friday, the official IRNA news agency reported, a day after the Netherlands called in Iran's envoy over suspicions that Iran was behind two assassination attempts. An Iranian foreign ministry official described the Dutch accusation as "laughable" and based on "suspicions or assumptions", according to IRNA. "It is regrettable that the Dutch diplomatic apparatus acts so easily on speculations injected by its security bodies and the Zionist regime (Israel), and even summons the Iranian ambassador over such an absurd fabrication," the official, Alireza Yousefi, was quoted as saying. The Netherlands summoned Iran's ambassador after the Dutch intelligence agency, known as the AIVD, said in its annual report published on Thursday that it was likely Iran was behind two assassination attempts in the Netherlands and Spain. Two men were arrested in June 2024 in the Dutch town of Haarlem after an assassination attempt on an Iranian residing in the country, the report said. One of the suspects was also believed to have been behind the failed assassination attempt on Spanish politician and Iran critic Alejo Vidal-Quadras in Madrid in November 2023, it said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Iran summons Dutch envoy to protest assassination attempts claim
April 25 (Reuters) - The Iranian foreign ministry summoned the Dutch ambassador to Tehran on Friday, the official IRNA news agency reported, a day after the Netherlands called in Iran's envoy over suspicions that Iran was behind two assassination attempts. An Iranian foreign ministry official described the Dutch accusation as "laughable" and based on "suspicions or assumptions", according to IRNA. The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here. "It is regrettable that the Dutch diplomatic apparatus acts so easily on speculations injected by its security bodies and the Zionist regime (Israel), and even summons the Iranian ambassador over such an absurd fabrication," the official, Alireza Yousefi, was quoted as saying. The Netherlands summoned Iran's ambassador after the Dutch intelligence agency, known as the AIVD, said in its annual report published on Thursday that it was likely Iran was behind two assassination attempts in the Netherlands and Spain. Two men were arrested in June 2024 in the Dutch town of Haarlem after an assassination attempt on an Iranian residing in the country, the report said. One of the suspects was also believed to have been behind the failed assassination attempt on Spanish politician and Iran critic Alejo Vidal-Quadras in Madrid in November 2023, it said.
Shafaq News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Netherlands summons Iranian Ambassador over alleged assassination attempts
Shafaq News/ The Netherlands summoned the Iranian ambassador on Thursday after its intelligence agency accused Tehran of orchestrating two assassination attempts targeting Iranian dissidents in Europe. According to its annual report, the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) said two men were arrested in June 2024 in the city of Haarlem in connection with an attempt to assassinate an Iranian national residing in the Netherlands. One of the suspects is also believed to be linked to a separate attempt to kill Spanish politician Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a vocal critic of Iran, in Madrid in November 2023. "The two assassination attempts follow a pattern long associated with Iran's actions abroad—relying on criminal networks in Europe to silence perceived opponents of the regime," the AIVD stated. "Intelligence indicates a strong likelihood that Iran is behind both plots." Vidal-Quadras, a former vice president of the European Parliament and co-founder of Spain's far-right Vox party, survived a shooting last year. He has since accused the Iranian government of targeting him due to his outspoken support for Iranian opposition groups. The Dutch Foreign Ministry confirmed that it had summoned Iran's ambassador in response to the intelligence findings. As of Thursday evening, Tehran had not issued a public response to the allegations.
