Europe Is Held Hostage by Americans, Says Iranian Intelligence Minister

Iran's position on social unrest is based on American intelligence data, stated Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in an interview with IRNA. He asserted that French President Emmanuel Macron is trying to hide his domestic political failures by adopting an aggressive stance towards Iran.

“Macron’s anti-Iranian position also serves his ambitions to gain concessions from the U.S. on other international issues, including France's relations with the wealthy Arab countries of the Persian Gulf,” he said.

Khatib added, “This means that the Americans have taken Europe hostage, specifically France and Germany.”

The Minister noted that Iran possesses documents proving that the United States has used its influence over the Arab states of the Persian Gulf to prevent them from participating in lucrative arms and trade deals with Europeans. He also mentioned that Macron's hardline stance against Iran has been influenced by the detention of two French intelligence officers by Tehran. He cautioned that Iran could reveal more details regarding the mission if France continues to treat the country hostilely.