TEHRAN, August 1 — In a strong and emotionally charged response, Iran has pushed back against fresh allegations made by the United States and over a dozen Western countries. The claims accuse Tehran of orchestrating assassination and kidnapping plots targeting journalists, dissidents, and officials abroad. But Iran says the story isn’t as it seems.
Speaking on behalf of the Iranian government, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei Kaha described the allegations as “baseless” and deeply misleading. In his statement, he emphasized that these accusations are nothing more than a strategic distraction—“an attempt to divert global attention from the ongoing genocide in occupied Palestine,” he said, referencing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The joint statement issued by the US, UK, France, Germany, and others on Thursday accused Iran’s intelligence services of escalating threats against individuals in Europe and North America. “We are united in our opposition to the attempts of Iranian intelligence services to kill, kidnap, and harass people,” the statement read. The Western coalition further claimed that Iran is working with international criminal networks to carry out these acts—targeting journalists, Jewish citizens, dissidents, and even current and former government officials.
But Iran vehemently denies these charges. Baqaei called the accusations “blatant fabrications,” suggesting they are part of a broader, deliberate campaign to stir up fear about Iran—what he called “Iranophobia.” According to Tehran, such narratives are politically motivated and aimed at justifying further pressure against the Iranian people on the global stage.
“The Iranian nation is no stranger to such tactics,” Baqaei said. “We see clearly through the motives behind these falsehoods. These are not security concerns—they are propaganda tools.”
As tensions rise between Iran and the West, the narrative battle continues—each side holding firm to their version of truth in an increasingly polarized world.
