Iran Slams France for Hosting Exiled Opposition Group Rally
The Facts
Iran's foreign ministry on Sunday condemned French officials for allowing a meeting and protest by a dissident group in Paris, claiming it amounts to support for "terrorism" while warning of the political and legal consequences of the move.
Thousands joined Saturday's rally organized by the exiled National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the political wing of the controversial People's Mujahedin (MEK) that is far from having universal support among the Iranian diaspora.
The Spin
Pro-Iran narrative
It's inconceivable that the French government has once again backed gatherings of the MEK terrorist cult and allowed them to take place in Paris, especially at a moment when France is facing social unrest as its citizens are out in the streets protesting racism. Instead of meddling in Iran's internal affairs to support murderers, Paris should restrain itself and deal with its problems.
Anti-Iran narrative
France has upheld fundamental democratic rights within its borders in a heavy blow to Iran's theocratic regime that has long threatened terror attacks to blackmail foreign powers into suppressing the exiled opposition. It's time to stop appeasing this oppressive clerical regime as this approach has only encouraged its reign of terror and repression against the nation.