In a powerful guest article published by Tagesspiegel, Dr. Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former Vice President of the European Parliament and current president of the International Committee in Search of Justice (ISJ), sheds light on the dangerous reach of Iran’s state-led repression and terrorism. Dr. Vidal-Quadras recounts his harrowing personal experience as the target of an assassination attempt orchestrated by agents of the Islamic Republic of Iran. On November 9, 2023, an assailant, under orders from the Iranian government, attempted to kill him outside his home in Madrid. Although he survived, the incident left him with severe injuries, including shattered jawbones.
This attack is not an isolated case. Dr. Vidal-Quadras emphasizes that Iran’s state terrorism knows no borders, citing a foiled 2018 plot aimed at a mass gathering of Iranian exiles in Paris. The event, organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), featured tens of thousands of attendees, including prominent figures from Europe and North America. According to Vidal-Quadras, the mastermind behind the planned bombing was an Iranian diplomat, underscoring the regime’s use of state apparatus to conduct acts of international terrorism. The thwarted attack could have claimed hundreds, if not thousands, of lives, significantly escalating tensions between Iran and the West.
Despite such incidents, Vidal-Quadras points to Europe’s persistent policy of appeasement toward Iran, which he argues emboldens the regime’s aggressive tactics. The failure of the European Union to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization epitomizes this approach, despite broad support for such a designation within the European Parliament and among several national legislatures. This hesitance, he contends, places not only Iranian dissidents but also European citizens at risk.
A highly recommended article by @VidalQuadras:#Iran's repression domestically and abroad: State terrorism that knows no borders. #IRGCterrorists
Irans Repression im In- und Ausland: Staatsterrorismus, der keine Grenzen akzeptiert https://t.co/Q9OZVADTY1 via @Tagesspiegel— Javad Dabiran (@JavadDabiran) October 30, 2024
The guest author also highlights this policy’s repercussions on Iranian society. The violent suppression of protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022 and the state’s broader crackdown on dissent have shown the world that a robust and democratic alternative exists within Iran. Yet, Europe’s reluctance to hold the regime accountable has allowed it to act with impunity, thereby jeopardizing the rights and safety of the Iranian people and their organized resistance.
Dr. Vidal-Quadras concludes that a shift in European policy is urgently needed. Recognizing the IRGC as a terrorist organization would be a pivotal first step, coupled with holding Iranian officials accountable for terrorism and human rights violations. Supporting the Iranian people’s right to resist their oppressors and formally acknowledging their pursuit of democracy and freedom could pave the way for lasting change. He argues that the time for such policy transformation is now, presenting Europe with both the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to a democratic future for Iran.
