Iran dismissed US allegations that its embassies are used to plot attacks, saying that the "unfounded" and "ludicrous" claims are part of a psychological campaign.
"The embassies of the Islamic Republic function within the framework of international law and bilateral ties in the host countries with the aim of expanding friendly relations," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said in a statement late on Wednesday.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed on Tuesday that Tehran is using its diplomatic missions in Europe as cover to plot terrorist attacks.
"Just this past week there were Iranians arrested in Europe who were preparing to conduct a terror plot in Paris. We have seen this malign behavior in Europe," Pompeo said in an interview with Sky News Arabia during a trip to the United Arab Emirates, AP reported.
Evil Intentions
Qasemi said the accusations are intended to undermine Iran's relations with other countries, adding that history is a guide to Washington's sinister intentions.
"Pompeo levels such baseless claims against our country while there is ample evidence of espionage and subterfuge by American embassies with hundreds of military and security personnel under diplomatic guise."
"Recent history is replete with such illegitimate activities that are in contravention of international norms and regulations," the official noted, criticizing the pattern of US interference in the internal affairs of other nations.
The Dutch Intelligence service AIVD said on July 6 that the Netherlands had expelled two persons accredited to the Iranian Embassy, without providing further information. Tehran called the move "unconstructive".
Meanwhile, Belgium said earlier this month that it had arrested two Belgians of Iranian origin suspected of trying to bomb a meeting of the banned Mujahedin Khalq Organization near Paris, according to Reuters.
It also requested the extradition of an Austria-based Iranian diplomat held in Germany and a man of Iranian origin in France in connection with the alleged Paris plot.
Iran said it had nothing to do with the plot described by Belgian authorities, which it called a "sinister false flag ploy", and stated that it was ready to work with the concerned parties to get to the bottom of it.
