New Zealand joins 30 nations condemning Iran for violent attacks

New Zealand is among more than 30 countries that have issued a joint statement condemning Iran for its use of violent attacks. The group, which includes the United Kingdom and the United States, condemned acts including lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, and cyber-attacks. Foreign Minister Winston Peters released the statement on social media.

The condemnation follows an assessment by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham that a suspected plot to attack the RAF Fairford air base in England was "almost certainly" directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard. The air base in southwest England has been used by American bombers to conduct strikes on Iran. The United States has since redeployed its aircraft from the base to their home bases.

Police arrested seven men in connection with the investigation into the alleged plot, though all suspects have been released on bail and no charges have been filed. The suspects are in their 20s, with six identified as British nationals and one as a dual UK-Iranian citizen. While police found gasoline in three vans linked to the suspects, no explosives were discovered.

Iran has denied any involvement in the suspected plot and the Iranian ambassador was summoned by the British government. The UK has added two Iranians to its sanctions list, alleging they were involved in espionage and attacks on behalf of the Iranian government.

Where reports differ

• Reports vary on the exact number of countries involved, citing either 30 or more than 30

Compiled from reports by 1News, Otago Daily Times, The Post and Stuff.