Iran denies plans to target political opponents abroad

The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations has stated that Tehran has no plans to target its political opponents abroad.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has neither the intention nor the plans to conduct operations to eliminate or abduct individuals, whether in the West or any other country," the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

The mission further clarified that allegations of Iran plotting attacks on American politicians are propagated by Israel, Western and US intelligence agencies, and supporters of Mojahedin-e Khalq radical opposition group, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by Tehran. The statement follows reports from the US Justice Department and prosecutors, revealing that a Pakistani individual has been charged with plotting to assassinate a US official.

This alleged scheme was purportedly in response to the killing of Iran’s top anti-terror commander, General Qassem Soleimani, near Baghdad International Airport in January 2020. The individual, identified as 46-year-old Asif Raza Merchant, is accused of attempting to hire a hitman to target a politician or government official in the United States. FBI Director Christopher Wray has also stated that Merchant had “close ties to Iran.”