TEHRAN – Iran criticized on Monday the West for revising its approach toward terrorist groups including the Mojahedin Khalq Organization and the Al-Qaeda network.

“It seems that Westerners are revising their approach toward terrorist groups and terrorists, and despite their previous slogans they are meeting and holding talks with extremist groups in different countries including Afghanistan,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi told a regular news briefing on Monday.
He also blasted West’s overt and covert support to MKO and the Abdulmalek Rigi terror network.
“While the enmity of these groups toward Iranian people is quite evident, certain television networks affiliated to Western powers are focusing their attempts on giving (diplomatic) recognition to the activities of these groups and publicize them,” Qashqavi explained.
“There is no rational justification for West’s support of terrorist groups.”
Qashqavi also warned, “Playing with the terrorist cards will certainly not benefit them (Western countries).”
The Foreign Ministry spokesman called leniency toward terrorists a “wrong” policy which would “benefit no country”.
He pointed out that this approach runs counter to the UN resolutions on terrorism and “puts to question Western claims” on campaign against terrorism.
Protestto Italy
Qashqavi also sounded Iran’s protests to Italy for its support of the MKO.
The MKO is recognized as a terrorist group for many cases of bombings, killings and attacks against civilians and government officials in Iran. The group also collaborated with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in suppressing the Iraqi Kurds.
""We have expressed our protest through diplomatic channels to say that the sectarian and terrorist nature of MKO has not changed,"" IRNA quoted Qashqavi as saying.
""The Western intelligence agencies have massive information about MKO's crimes and cannot claim that it has gone through any change,"" the spokesman added