Iran: Iran has criticized France for permitting a meeting and rally held by the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), a group blacklisted by Iran and referred to as the People’s Mujahidin Organization. Iran considers this support for “terrorism” and has urged French officials to rectify their past support for the “murderers of Iranian people.”

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Mr. Nasser Kanani stated that France should address its own internal crisis and discriminatory treatment of its citizens, referencing the recent violence and unrest following the killing of a teenager by a French police officer.

“Instead, they create the grounds for a rally of terrorists whose drumbeat of ignominy in Albania was recently heard by the whole world,” Mr. Kanani added, warning Paris of “political and legal” ramifications if it continues to accommodate the dissident group.

The MEK’s main camp in Albania, which is home to several thousand members, was raided by security police last month after a court order was issued to investigate unsanctioned political activities that went against a 2014 United States-brokered agreement that allowed its members to reside in the West Balkans nation.

The organisation, based on Islamic and socialist ideologies, used to be on the US and European Union “terrorist” lists before being delisted more than a decade ago. At the weekend, it held a meeting on the outskirts of Paris as a group of its supporters rallied inside the city.

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

Tehran, which has blacklisted the group, has also sanctioned a number of US officials for their support of the MEK.

Relations between Iran and Albania remain strained after Tirana cut diplomatic ties with Tehran with US and EU support after accusing it of a major cyberattack. Iran denies the allegation.

However, the Iranian intelligence ministry thanked the Albanian government for “confronting terrorists” with its raid on the MEK camp, something it called a “step forward”. The ministry further noted that it continues to be in contact with European intelligence services to warn them of MEK operations.

BUSINESS: Cineworld to file for administration to tackle debt crisis