US-led bloc has no standing to accuse Iran of 'state threat activity': Gharibabadi

Iran’s deputy foreign minister has rejected a joint statement by 23 countries accusing the Islamic Republic of engaging in “state threat activity,” dismissing the allegations as politically motivated and devoid of legal or factual basis while warning of a firm response to any hostile actions.

In a post on X on Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said the statement was an attempt to exert political pressure on Iran under the guise of international concern.

“The recent joint statement on so-called 'Iranian state threat activity' is a collection of political, unsubstantiated and categorically rejected allegations,” Gharibabadi stated.

His remarks came hours after a group of 23 countries, led by the United States and including several of its key European allies, called on Iran to halt what they alleged were “lethal plotting and other malign actions” in Europe, North America and Australia, including activities targeting Iranian dissidents, journalists, and Jewish and Israeli communities and interests.

“States with a clear record of violating Iran’s sovereignty, supporting military aggression, harboring terrorist anti-Iran groups and shielding the Israeli regime from accountability have neither the legal nor moral standing to accuse the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Gharibabadi emphasized.

Explaining Iran’s view of the statement, he stressed that the allegations are being used as a political tool to obscure wider issues of international conduct.

“Attributing unfounded claims to Iran’s official institutions without credible evidence is not the implementation of international law, nor is it countering transnational threats. It is a political operation designed to divert attention from aggression, occupation, terrorism and grave violations in which these very governments have been directly or indirectly involved,” the deputy foreign minister added.

Iran has rejected the IAEA resolution as politicized and provocative

The IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution demanding Iran provide information on its enriched uranium stockpile and grant access to nuclear sites, which Iran has rejected as politicized and provocative.

Gharibabadi also reaffirmed Iran’s position on international law and security matters and stressed that the Islamic Republic rejects any actions outside legal frameworks while condemning politically motivated pressure campaigns.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects any attempt to assassinate, kidnap, intimidate or attack individuals outside the framework of international law. At the same time, it regards such coordinated statements as a cover for political pressure, securitizing Iranian communities and justifying hostile measures against Iran,” he noted.

Concluding his remarks, Gharibabadi warned of firm Iranian responses to any hostile measures or baseless accusations.

“Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security are not subjects for propaganda bargaining. Any hostile act, any evidence-free accusation and any participation in the pressure campaign against Iran will be met with Iran’s firm legal, political and sovereign response and also reciprocal and appropriate measures,” he stated.

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