U.S. Attempts to Change Europe's Mind by Accusing Iran of Terror Plots

The U.S. is reportedly adopting a new approach in its ongoing efforts to convince European countries to renounce the 2015 Iran nuclear accord and isolate Tehran.

The U.S., Israel and Iranian dissidents say that Iran is "hunting its enemies in Europe," according to The Wall Street Journal. American and Israeli governments say alleged terror plots and killings are sponsored by Tehran and are telling European governments to withdraw from the nuclear accord and ban Iranian officials.

Some European officials are doubtful that Tehran is behind the attacks, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Last month, the Netherlands announced it had expelled two Iranian embassy staff. The Wall Street Journal reported that "foreign officials" said the expulsions "were linked to the assassinations of at least one Iranian dissident, Ahmad Mola Nissi," who was shot last year by a masked assassin. The newspaper also wrote that "U.S. officials believe Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security was involved. Dutch authorities are investigating."

The month before, police from Belgium, France and Germany arrested four people for allegedly planning to attack a gathering of Iranian opposition groups. Belgian police said they discovered a homemade explosive and an ignition device after stopping a husband and wife. German police arrested an Iranian diplomat.

"Europe isn't immune to Iran-backed terrorism. This month, an Iranian "diplomat" in Vienna was charged in connection with a plot to bomb a rally in France. At the same time the regime is trying to convince Europe to stay in the #IranDeal, it's plotting terrorist attacks in Europe," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on Twitter in July.

Since Trump announced in May that the U.S. would be withdrawing from the Iranian nuclear accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Washington has attempted to convince European governments to follow its lead, withdraw from the agreement and isolate Iran.

But the efforts have been unsucessful. Former European allies have reaffirmed that they will not leave the agreement. The day after Trump's announcement, the European Union issued a statement lamenting the U.S. decision to withdraw from the accord.

"As long as Iran continues to implement its nuclear related commitments, as it has been doing so far and has been confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 10 consecutive reports, the EU will remain committed to the continued full and effective implementation of the nuclear deal," the statement read.

"The lifting of nuclear related sanctions is an essential part of the agreement. The EU has repeatedly stressed that the sanctions lifting has a positive impact on trade and economic relations with Iran. The EU stresses its commitment to ensuring that this can continue to be delivered."

Individual European countries have since confirmed their intention to adhere to the JCPOA.

The first round of U.S. sanctions will be reinstated on Monday. The U.S. has announced it could also sanction European companies that conduct business with Tehran in the future.