Tehran : Iran on Friday condemned the German government’s decision to ban Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement from operating in the country, designating it as a terrorist organization.
“Certain countries in Europe are apparently adopting their stances without considering the realities in the West Asia region,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in a statement.
The German government’s blacklisting of Hezbollah “only serves the objectives of Israel and the US”, said Mousavi.
Besides, the decision “disrespects” the Lebanese government and nation, as Hezbollah is a “legitimate and official part of the country’s government and Parliament”, he added.
On Thursday, Germany blacklisted the Hezbollah and banned all activities of the group in the country.
Dozens of police and special forces stormed mosques and associations linked to Hezbollah in Bremen, Berlin, Dortmund and Muenster in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Established in 1982 during Lebanon’s civil war, Hezbollah is now a major political party in the country.
It fought a war with Israel in 2006.
The group,backed by the Islamic Shia community, has long been designated as a terrorist group by the US and Israel.