Analysis by PMOI/MEK
Jan. 4, 2019 – The expulsion of the Iranian regime’s ambassador and another diplomat from Albania was a scenario planned by the United States and Israel to “damage relations between Iran and Europe,” according to the expelled envoy who has been talking about his ordeal. The truth is, however, the two diplomat terrorists were expelled from Albania on the grounds of “illegal activities.”
In an interview with the state-run IRNA news agency, Gholam-Hossein Mohammadnia, the Iranian regime’s former ambassador to Albania, claimed American “hawks” supporting the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) were “concerned about the future of this organization” due to the “growing relations” between the Iranian regime and Albania.
“The most important objective of those plotting this scenario to confront Iran, be it in Albania or other countries, and to challenge any measures aimed at maintaining the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” he added.
It is worth noting that prior to being appointed as the Iranian regime’s ambassador in Albania, Mohammadnia was a member of Tehran’s team involved in nuclear talks with the P5+1.
He links his expulsion from Albania to all subjects possible other than supervising the preparation and implementation of terrorism-related activities. Mohammadnia considers this move by Albania following a trend of “a series of measures” being carried out “especially on the verge of a special purpose vehicle” seeking to bypass U.S. sanctions and maintain trade relations between the European Union and the Iranian regime.
Why was Tehran’s man expelled from Albania?
On December 19, a series of published reports indicated the Iranian regime’s ambassador in Albania was expelled along with another diplomat terrorist due to suspicions of “illegal activities” endangering this country’s security. On that very day, the Albanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson described the reason behind the expulsion of these two Iranian regime diplomat terrorists as “violating diplomatic customs.”
Initial reports indicated the expelled diplomats were suspected of being involved in illegal activities related to a football/soccer match between the two teams of Albania and Israel. Further reports showed around 20 individuals were arrested on suspicion of attempting to stage a possible terror attack.
However, Albanian government officials subsequently stressed that the reason the Iranian regime's diplomats were expelled was their terrorist activities and plots against PMOI/MEK members who were relocated in the Balkan country in the past years.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a letter to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in this regard on December 14, whereas the Albanian Foreign Ministry announced the Iranian regime’s expulsion on December 19.
We commend the Government of #Albania for taking action against #Iran’s regime for its terrorist plotting on Albanian soil, threatening European security. Letter from President Donald Trump thanking the Government of Albania: https://t.co/dOgW9jaK4k pic.twitter.com/Olt2tcLPxR
— USEmbassyTirana (@USEmbassyTirana) December 20, 2018
It is worth noting that on December 19, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised Albania’s measures of expelling the Iranian regime’s ambassador and another diplomat.
I commend PM Edi Rama’s expulsion of two Iranian agents who plotted terrorist attacks in #Albania. European nations have thwarted three Iranian plots this year alone. The world must stand together to sanction #Iran’s regime until it changes its destructive behavior.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 19, 2018
U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton also described this move by Tirana Prime as “signaling to Iran’s leaders that their support for terrorism will not be tolerated.”
Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania just expelled the Iranian ambassador, signaling to Iran’s leaders that their support for terrorism will not be tolerated. We stand with PM Rama and the Albanian people as they stand up to Iran’s reckless behavior in Europe and across the globe.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) December 19, 2018
The expulsion of Iranian regime diplomats from Albania is not the only case of such accusations raised against the Iranian regime. Tehran is also accused of seeking to eliminate dissidents in France, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The European Union says it is following up on the events in this regard.
