Tehran says new 'baseless' US accusations continuation of failed policy of Iranophobia

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Thursday slammed US judicial officials for hurling new accusations against Tehran without any credible proof, saying such moves are a continuation of Washington's failed policy of spreading Iranophobia.

Kanaani made the remarks in a statement on the foreign ministry's website in reaction to the US justice department charging on Wednesday a member of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) with plotting to assassinate John Bolton, who served as national security adviser to former President Donald Trump.

Such baseless claims are politically motivated and part of US attempts to sour the atmosphere surrounding Iran through launching a propaganda campaign, and evading being held accountable for the numerous terrorist crimes US administrations have either perpetrated directly, such as the assassination of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, or been behind of, like the ones committed by terrorist groups such as the Islamic State through Washington's support, the spokesman said.

Making up "threadbare and baseless tales" is becoming a recurring process in the US judicial and propaganda systems, Kanaani added, stressing that this time, they have resorted to creating scenarios using "politically broken and worthless elements", such as John Bolton, to move ahead with the process.

Iran firmly warns against any act against its nationals based on such "ridiculous" accusations and emphasizes that it reserves the right to take any action within the framework of international law to defend the nation's rights and its citizens, Kanaani noted.