In a statement issued on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry said the US administration is responsible for escalating tension and undermining international security through its propaganda campaign against Iran.

International conventions require that the governments in question be informed beforehand when such charges are made against their citizens, but US officials have violated these legal norms and taken no steps in the right direction, the statement added.

“According to international conventions, any accusation against individuals or nationals of a country must be communicated to the respective government to seek explanation and cooperation. Despite the request made by the Islamic Republic of Iran and… international conventions, the US administration has taken no action in this regard,” part of the statement read.

The Iranian-born Texas man allegedly involved in the plot has lived in the United States for the past 16 years and has had no connection whatsoever with the Iranian government, according to the statement.

On Tuesday, the US Justice Department accused Iran of plotting to assassinate Saudi Arabian Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir, with help from a suspected member of a Mexican drug cartel.

Tehran says the media hype created by Washington is an attempt to deflect international attention from the anti-corruption and anti-corporatism protests currently rocking the country.

Iran´s envoy to the UN, Mohammad Khazaei, has filed a complaint against the US for what he called the “evil plot.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has described the US accusation as an immature scenario and says US officials will ultimately be compelled to apologize.

End.
Last Updated: 17 October 2011