DEFIANT BELGIUM: Tehran Warned Of “Dire Consequences” If Reza Pahlavi Spoke In Brussels Belgium Let Him Speak Anyway

Belgium’s defense minister said on Friday that Tehran had warned his country of dire consequences if it allowed Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s exiled crown prince, to speak in Brussels, and that the event had gone ahead anyway.

 Speaking at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels, where he welcomed Pahlavi before a lecture on the Middle East, Theo Francken said the Iranian leadership had tried to prevent the discussion.

“We have been warned of dire consequences if the lecture went ahead,” he told the audience.

Francken said the objection showed that Tehran was concerned about Pahlavi’s message and was seeking to pressure Belgium’s democracy.

 “This attitude demonstrates to us that the Iranian regime is genuinely concerned about Mr. Pahlavi’s message. And not only that; It also seeks to coerce our own democracy,” he said, adding that the academy should be free to discuss and study issues without interference from abroad.

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