The United States and 21 other countries have issued a joint statement warning Iran to stop attacks on their territories. The statement, released on Thursday, condemned Iran for 'killing, kidnapping, harassing, intimidating, or attempting any other form of attack on people in our territories,' which it said undermines national sovereignty and international norms. The countries demanded an immediate halt to such activities.
The statement accused Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force of being involved in 'deadly plots and harmful activities' against Iranian dissidents, journalists, and Jewish and Israeli communities and their interests. The countries expressed their unity in protecting their nations and people from these threats and called on Iran to cease these activities immediately.
The joint statement also alleged that Iran was behind attacks targeting Jewish communities, Iranian and American journalists across Europe. Iran-linked group Harakat Ashiab al-Yamin al-Islamiya claimed responsibility for these attacks. In August last year, Australia expelled Iran's ambassador, accusing Tehran of directing at least two anti-Semitic attacks. Canberra recalled its ambassador from Tehran and temporarily suspended the operations of the Australian embassy there. In November, Australia designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a'sponsor of terrorism.'
The countries that signed the joint statement are: Albania, Australia, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and the United States.
