Iran Summons Dutch Envoy Over Assassination Claims

Iran summoned the Dutch ambassador on Friday to protest what it called "baseless accusations" by the Dutch intelligence agency, which alleged Iranian involvement in a foiled assassination attempt in the Netherlands.

The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) claimed in its annual report that Iran was likely behind an attempted assassination of an Iranian man in the northern city of Haarlem in June last year.

In response, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp summoned Iran's ambassador on Thursday to address the accusation, a ministry spokesperson confirmed to AFP.

The Iranian foreign ministry rejected the allegations, labeling them as "unfounded" in a statement released by state news agency IRNA. "It is regrettable that the Dutch diplomatic apparatus has made baseless accusations against Iran and summoned our ambassador based on this ridiculous falsehood," the statement said.

The AIVD, citing intelligence, said it was "probable" that Iran was responsible for the assassination attempt. The agency also linked one of the suspects to the 2022 drive-by shooting of Spanish politician Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a vocal critic of Iran, who survived the attack.

Tensions between Iran and the Netherlands have escalated over similar allegations in the past. In 2019, the Netherlands accused Iran of involvement in the killings of two dissidents in 2015 and 2017, leading to the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats.

The AIVD report also mentioned that the agency continues to assess potential threats ahead of a NATO summit to be held in the Netherlands later this year.