In a press release on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi called the EUs decision to blacklist the two Iranians and the Directorate for Internal Security at the Iranian Intelligence Ministry irrational and odd and said the move showed the European countries dishonesty in fighting terror.
Instead of blacklisting such terrorist and criminal groups as the Monafeqin (MKO) and al-Ahwaziya, the European Union has allowed them freedom to carry out their inhuman and terrorist activities and even provides them protection, while it levels accusations against Iran, which is the flag-bearer in the fight against terror in the region and to which Europe owes its security, Qassemi said.
He said Iran will take reciprocal measures in response, without elaborating.
Earlier in the day, an EU press release said sanctions, which include the freezing of funds and other financial assets, will be effective against those targeted as of Wednesday.
These listings have been adopted by the Council as part of its response to recent foiled attacks on the European soil, it added.
This is the first time the EU has imposed sanctions on Iran since lifting an array of embargoes following Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
The US and Israel were quick to welcome the anti-Iran move.
The US strongly supports the new sanctions and stands with our European allies as we counter this common threat, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry also said in a tweet, This is an important first step by the EU, combating Iranian aggression. The newly imposed sanctions offer some hope that a growing number of countries are willing to take an active, clear stand against Irans global campaign of terrorism.
Javad Zarif
? @JZarif
Europeans, incl Denmark, Holland & France, harbor MEKwho killed 12000 Iranians & abetted Saddam's crimes against Iraqi Kurdsas well as other terrorists staging murder of innocent Iranians from Europe. Accusing Iran won't absolve Europe of responsibility for harboring terrorists
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8:54 PM - Jan 8, 2019
The MKO has carried out numerous attacks against Iranian civilians and government officials over the past three decades and is listed as a terrorist organization by much of the international community.
Out of the nearly 17,000 Iranians killed in terrorist assaults since the victory of Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution, about 12,000 have fallen victim to MKOs acts of terror.
