US and Allies Accuse Iran of Assassination, Kidnapping

Newsweek -Aug 1st 2025

By AmirDaftari

The United States and 13 allied nations have issued a joint statement accusing Iran’s intelligence services of carrying out assassination attempts, abductions, and harassment campaigns targeting individuals across Europe and North America.

Governments including France, Germany, Canada, and Britain joined the U.S. in condemning Tehran’s alleged extraterritorial actions, labeling them a violation of national sovereignty. In response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the allegations as “baseless and ridiculous.”

Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and Iran’s Foreign Ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

The coordinated statement represents one of the strongest multilateral rebukes of Iran’s intelligence activities to date. It highlights growing international alarm over Tehran’s alleged willingness to use foreign-based criminal networks to silence its critics abroad.

Following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran as well as U.S. airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, the joint statement reflects mounting concern over Tehran’s regional behavior and nuclear ambitions. It also underscores fears that Iran’s operations now extend beyond the Middle East as part of a wider global campaign.

What To Know

The signatory nations accused Iran of systematically targeting journalists, dissidents, and current and former government officials—particularly those critical of the regime—in a coordinated campaign of violence and intimidation.

“We are united in our opposition to the attempts of Iranian intelligence services to kill, kidnap, and harass people in Europe and North America,” the joint statement said.

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https://www.newsweek.com/us-allies-accuse-iran-kidnapping-assassinations-2107463