“Following the release of interfering statements by the European states, the German ambassador — whose country is the rotating head of the European Union — and French ambassador were summoned by the Iranian foreign ministry’s director-general for Europe to the ministry.”

During the meetings, Khatibzadeh said, the ambassadors were informed of Iran’s strong protest over certain European countries’ support for terrorist groups and elements who specifically commit security offenses in cooperation with the spy services of the West and the Zionist regime against the Iranian nation.

The spokesman noted that “the Iranian foreign ministry’s director-general for Europe reminded the German and French envoys that how training to make bombs, planning for street clashes, cooperation with foreign governments and intelligence services to topple the Iranian political structure and be an accomplice to armed offenses can be named journalism?”

“Based on what criteria a journalist is under the protection and cooperation of French internal security organization and in close contact with Mossad, [and] engages in gathering sensitive intelligence, including military information and gives that information to the intelligence services of specific countries?” he added.

Zam, who used to run the counterrevolutionary Amad News website, was hanged on Saturday after Iran’s Supreme Court upheld a death sentence issued by the Islamic Revolution Court back in June.

His website, Amad News, feverishly disseminated incriminating content against Iran’s Islamic establishment and insulted the sanctities of Iranian Muslims.

Zam was first arrested in October 2019 by the Intelligence Organization of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

The post Iran protests Europe’s support for terrorist element appeared first on Iran News Daily.

In an interview with France 24 released on Wednesday, Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei underlined the need for making a distinction between people legitimately protesting over “issues related to livelihood and the economy” and terrorists and saboteurs.

“We have to be able to separate those who were protesting for their livelihood — they have to be honored, we must listen to their concerns and see what their problems are — and those who committed terrorist acts and sabotage,” he said.

The official also stressed that during last month’s unrest, security forces took action against “disturbances.”

Iran “has always listened with open ears to peaceful protesters; the authorities must respond to the people’s rightful demands,” he said. “But naturally, when there are disturbances — vandalism, attacks against government centers and the destruction of people’s property — it is the duty of security forces and police to take action, and naturally during these operations, …incidents can happen.”

Kadkhodaei further noted that the analysis of the events in Iran from abroad “is not always the correct.”

He further defended the nationwide internet shutdown during the protests and said, “If there’s a road or a freeway and terrorists come and do something, what’s the first thing you will do to the freeway? You will shut it down.”

In mid-November, the Iranian government raised gasoline prices in order to moderate the national consumption rate.

The move prompted protests in a number of cities that went largely peaceful, but turned violent when some took advantage of the situation to vandalize public and state property, and attack civilians and security forces alike.

The post Iran listens to peaceful protesters, but responds to disturbances appeared first on Iran News Daily.