AJC Urges EU to Pull Ambassadors from Iran after UK Embassy Attack

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Nov 29, 2011, 03:14 ET

NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC urges European countries to unite in adopting tighter economic and diplomatic sanctions against Iran after today's mob assault on the British Embassy in Tehran.

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"As friends of Europe, we believe that EU members should withdraw their ambassadors from Iran, in solidarity with Great Britain, and tell the Iranian government that violence against diplomatic personnel and property is inexcusable," said AJC Executive Director David Harris.

Iranians shouted "death to Britain" as they stormed British Embassy buildings in Tehran, burned the British flag and ransacked the offices. Several embassy employees were temporarily held hostage, until Iranian security services, who stood by during the initial violence, intervened.

The assault came a day after Iran downgraded its diplomatic ties with Britain, and called for the ambassador's expulsion, in response to Britain's decision last week to ban all dealings with Iran's Central Bank.

EU foreign ministers are slated to meet on Thursday to discuss similarly tough sanctions aimed at deterring Iran from continuing its program to develop nuclear weapons. Stepped up pressure follows an IAEA report that confirmed Iran's progress in developing a nuclear-weapons capability.

"The EU, we respectfully submit, should act in unison with the strongest possible measures targeting Iran's vulnerable banking and energy sectors," said Harris. "Together with new American and Canadian sanctions, European governments can demonstrate still greater determination to prevent Iran getting the bomb."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee