Iran Condemns French Support of Terrorist Group MEK

Iran has strongly criticized France for allowing a meeting and rally by the blacklisted Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), or People’s Mujahidin Organization, calling it a form of support for “terrorism”.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said France needs to “make up for their past mistakes” in backing the “murderers of Iranian people” and focus on the country’s “deep internal crisis” and discriminatory behaviour against its own citizens.

The MEK is a dissident group, based on Islamic and socialist ideology, that seeks to overthrow the establishment in Iran. It was formerly on the US and European Union “terrorist” list before being delisted more than a decade ago.

Last month, its main camp in Albania was raided by security police after a court order was issued to investigate unsanctioned political activities. At the weekend, the MEK held a meeting on the outskirts of Paris as a group of its supporters rallied inside the city.

Former US Vice President Mike Pence, who is running in the 2024 presidential election, and short-time former United Kingdom Prime Minister Liz Truss addressed the MEK gathering outside Paris.

Pence said the “Iranian regime has never been weaker than it is today” after protests that erupted in September and presented the MEK as an alternative. Tehran has blacklisted the group, and has sanctioned a number of US officials for their support of the MEK.

It has also accused Paris of supporting “riots” in Iran that began in September and conducting high-level meetings with Iranian dissidents, as well as hosting MEK gatherings. In response, the Iranian intelligence ministry thanked the Albanian government for “confronting terrorists” with its raid of the MEK camp, and announced that several MEK members were recently arrested inside Iran over alleged plans to attack state and public property using homemade grenades and explosives.

France’s Accommodation of Terrorist Group MEK Draws Ire of Iran Iran has criticized France for allowing a meeting and rally by the blacklisted Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), or People’s Mujahidin Organization, a dissident group that it regards as a form of support for “terrorism”.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani warned of “political and legal” ramifications if it continues to accommodate the group. The MEK is a dissident organization, based on Islamic and socialist ideology, that seeks to overthrow the establishment in Iran. It was formerly on the US and European Union “terrorist” list before being delisted more than a decade ago.