G7, allies condemn Iran’s ‘malign activities,' transnational repression

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - The G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) on Friday issued a joint statement with allies condemning what it described as Iran’s escalating campaign of transnational repression and other malign activities targeting opponents, journalists, and communities abroad.

The statement, released by Global Affairs Canada, was backed by the G7 members – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and the EU – along with associate members Australia and New Zealand.

It said Iranian intelligence services had increasingly attempted to “kill, kidnap, and harass political opponents abroad,” in what it called a “disturbing and unacceptable pattern” that undermines state sovereignty.

Other activities attributed to Tehran included operations to obtain and disclose the personal information of journalists and “attacks designed to divide societies and intimidate Jewish communities.”

“The G7 RRM stands in solidarity with our international partners whose citizens and residents have also been targeted by Iran,” the group said.

The statement stressed that the RRM, established to counter foreign interference, would continue to safeguard sovereignty, protect communities, and defend individuals from foreign governments “trying to silence, intimidate, harass, harm or coerce them within our borders.”

The declaration follows earlier condemnations from several Western nations, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK, and the US, on Iran’s activities abroad.

The G7 leaders also recently addressed the issue in a joint statement on transnational repression, signaling heightened concern over Tehran’s reach beyond its borders.