Iran criticizes US move to designate Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group

CAIRO – 2 May 2019: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has criticized the US intention to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.

Zarif told reporters on a sideline of a conference that, “The US is not in position to start naming others as terror organizations and we reject by any attempt by the US in this regard.”

“The US is supporting the biggest terrorist in the region, that is Israel,” he added.

President Donald Trump is working to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organization, the White House said on Tuesday, which would lead to sanctions against the movement.

According to a statement White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders issued on Tuesday, Trump had consulted with his national security team about giving the Muslim Brotherhood the status of a foreign terrorist organization, as well as leaders in the region who share his concern.

The report also suggested that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as National Security Advisor John Bolton, favored the idea. However, the US Department of Defense together with several national security and diplomatic officials are opposed to the move and have suggested a more limited step instead.

Cairo outlawed the group in 2013 after el-Sisi ousted President Mohamed Morsi, who belonged to the Brotherhood.