• US and 13 allies accuse Iran of orchestrating assassination and kidnapping attempts abroad.
• Joint statement condemns Iranian intelligence for violating national sovereignty.
• Iran's foreign ministry calls accusations "baseless" and part of an Iranophobia campaign.
• Recent claims include at least 15 plots targeting individuals in the UK since 2022.
• Security measures heightened in response to Iranian operations on Western soil.

The United States and its allies, including the United Kingdom and France, have publicly accused Iran's intelligence services of orchestrating a wave of assassination and kidnapping attempts targeting individuals in Europe and North America. This accusation cites a breach of national sovereignty, as these actions are reportedly conducted in collaboration with international criminal organizations. A joint statement issued by the countries condemns the Iranian attempts to "kill, kidnap, and harass people" residing in Western nations, affirming their unified stance against these violations, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Reports indicate that British officials have linked at least 15 plots since 2022 to Iranian operatives targeting individuals within the UK. Intelligence from the Netherlands also suggests that Iran was involved in a foiled assassination attempt on an Iranian dissident in 2024. This disturbing trend has raised concerns within Western governments, prompting them to take firmer actions against Iranian activities. Moreover, the US Department of Justice has charged individuals in Europe for allegedly plotting Iranian-directed operations against dissidents, as detailed by Le Monde and South China Morning Post.

In response to these allegations, Iran’s foreign ministry has categorically rejected the accusations as "baseless", labeling them as efforts to deflect attention from pressing global issues. Iranian spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei claimed these statements are part of a malicious campaign aimed at undermining the credibility of Iran. Additionally, he described these claims as "blatant fabrications" intended to incite fear and support for ongoing geopolitical tensions, as reported by TRT Global and Al Jazeera.

The recent allegations and subsequent responses reflect a broader context of renewed tensions regarding Iran's nuclear program and its activities abroad. Dialogue between Iran and Western powers remains stalled, notably after heightened military actions in the region and refuted claims regarding Iran's capabilities in developing nuclear weapons. These events underscore the complexities surrounding Iran's dealings with both local dissidents and international diplomatic relations, according to Le Monde and South China Morning Post.