This attempt aims at influencing engagement between Iran, Europe: FM spokesman

“A number of representatives of the European Parliament who are known for communicating with some groups of hypocrites, have tried to raise unrealistic claims about the human rights situation in Iran by misusing their position, ” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said.

“Groups of hypocrites as always in an insincere act have published the names of some of the members of the European Parliament as sponsors of the statement without their knowledge and signature,” ISNA quoted him as saying.

“We regard this as an attempt to influence the process of engagement, cooperation and the growing relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the European countries which has had very constructive and positive effects for the parties in all fields,” the spokesman emphasized.

"Iran condemns such psychological and propaganda ploys, and believes in constructive engagement with the European Union based on mutual respect in all areas of mutual interest, including promotion of bilateral ties, environmental issues, war on drugs, human rights and fight against organized crimes, terrorism and human smuggling as well as other issues gripping the international community," Ghasemi said.

“Iran believes the issuance of such unfounded and invalid statements will tarnish the status and dignity of the European Parliament; so, Iran expects European Parliament lawmakers to deal with the masterminds of such statements with sensitivity, thoughtfully and carefully,” he added.

“Undoubtedly, any move to impose the specific values of a country or region on other societies with different cultures and traditions amounts to an attempt to return to old and threadbare paradigms in international relations. We consider as invalid and worthless any such claims which are based on deception and improper suppositions,” the spokesman went on to say.

He concluded by saying that Iran remains determined to fight the scourge of terrorism. The spokesman said Iran will not hesitate to firmly work towards eliminating the root causes of terrorism, insecurity and instability in the region.

To that end, Ghasemi added, the Iranian Armed Forces, including the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) will continue to incessantly fight terrorist and Takfiri currents in the region without paying attention to the ballyhoo raised by supporters of criminal terrorists.