22 countries urge Iran to stop cross-border attack plots

A group of 22 countries issued a joint statement urging Iran to immediately halt attacks and intimidation against people and facilities on their territory. The countries said such operations, including killings, kidnappings, harassment and threats, violated national sovereignty and international norms. In the statement, they accused the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Quds Force of involvement in deadly plots targeting Iranian defectors, journalists, and Jewish and Israeli communities and interests in Europe, North America and Australia. They also linked Iran to a series of attacks claimed by Harakat Ashab Al Yamin Al Islamiya in Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands. Australia earlier expelled Iran's ambassador, withdrew its envoy from Teheran and suspended embassy operations after accusing Teheran of being behind anti-Semitic attacks in the country.