Twenty-two countries tell Iran to stop attacks 'on our soil'
Twenty-two countries, including the U.S. and European states, urged Iran to stop plots and attacks against people on foreign soil.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
A joint statement from 22 countries accused Iran’s security apparatus of using criminal networks to target dissidents, journalists, and Jewish and Israeli communities in Europe, North America, and Australia. The governments said such actions violate sovereignty and must stop immediately.
Twenty-two countries said Iran must stop trying to scare, hurt, or kidnap people in their countries. It is like several neighbors all telling one person to stop throwing stones over the fence.
Analysis
What happened
Twenty-two countries issued a joint warning to Iran, saying it must stop attacking people “on our soil.” The statement accused Iran’s security services of using international and local criminal gangs to carry out plots in Europe, North America, and Australia.
The governments said these alleged actions include attempts to kill, kidnap, harass, intimidate, or otherwise attack people, and argued that such behavior undermines national sovereignty and international norms. They said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence arm and the Quds Force had engaged in “lethal plotting and malign actions” against Iranian dissidents, journalists, and Jewish and Israeli communities and interests.
The wider accusations
The statement also said Iran was behind a campaign of attacks across Europe that targeted Jewish communities, Iranian journalists, and U.S. journalists. It pointed to an Iran-linked group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), which has claimed responsibility for attacks in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
The article also recalls Australia’s earlier response. Canberra expelled Iran’s ambassador in August 2025 after accusing Tehran of directing at least two antisemitic attacks: the burning of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024 and the torching of a kosher cafe in Sydney. Australia later designated the Revolutionary Guards as a state sponsor of terrorism in November 2025.
Why this stands out
The statement was signed by Albania, Australia, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and the United States. The message is that these governments see the threat as transnational, not confined to the Middle East.
Key points
- Twenty-two countries issued a joint statement warning Iran to stop attacks on people abroad.
- The governments accused Iran’s security services of using criminal gangs for plots in several regions.
- The statement named the IRGC intelligence services and the Quds Force in alleged targeting of dissidents, journalists, and Jewish and Israeli communities.
- Australia previously expelled Iran’s ambassador and accused Tehran of directing antisemitic attacks in Melbourne and Sydney.
- Australia later designated the Revolutionary Guards as a state sponsor of terrorism.
If the joint warning pushes Tehran to pull back, the risk of plots against dissidents, journalists, and Jewish communities abroad could ease. A united front from so many governments could also strengthen cooperation on protection and prevention.
If Iran rejects the warning, the article suggests the pattern of attacks and intimidation could continue across multiple regions. That could deepen diplomatic rifts and keep raising security fears in Europe, North America, and Australia.
