The US has joined Britain and a host of other nations in condemning “the lethal plotting and other malign actions” by Iranian agents overseas, including attempts to kill, kidnap and intimidate.
The joint statement, backed by 22 countries, demanded an immediate halt to Tehran’s illicit activities in Europe, North America and Australia.
It said the use by Iranian security services of international and local criminal groups was “deplorable”.
The united denunciation came amid an escalation in the Middle East conflict, with both the US and Iran trading strikes that threaten to derail efforts to end the war.
The latest clashes came after the downing of a US helicopter patrolling the Strait of Hormuz, which Donald Trump blamed on Tehran.
The president said the US would be attacking Iran “very hard” as he revealed the American military had secretly escorted more than 200 ships carrying millions of barrels of oil through the contested waterway since last month and claimed control of the channel.
However, the number of vessels remains well down on the number transiting before Iran effectively closed the strait in response to the joint US-Israeli offensive at the end of February.
Prior to the conflict, around 130 ships a day used the sea route.
Signatories to the statement, which included Ireland, Canada, Sweden, Portugal and New Zealand, condemned “the lethal plotting and other malign actions in Europe, North America and Australia… against Iranian dissidents, journalists and Jewish and Israeli communities and interests”.
It added: “We stand united in our determination to protect our countries and our people against these threats.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran must halt these actions now.
“The relationship between the Iranian security services and international and local criminal groups is long-standing.
“Their use of these groups is deplorable.”
The statement went on: “Attempts to kill, kidnap, harass, intimidate, or otherwise attack people on our soil, undermines national sovereignty and international norms.
“These actions must stop immediately.
“We commend the work of countries to counter these activities, and we are together resolved to undertake further measures to halt them.”
