Opposition criticises Okamura’s meeting with Iranian ambassador

Opposition representatives from the Civic Democrats (ODS) and TOP 09 have criticised a meeting between Czech Chamber of Deputies Speaker Tomio Okamura and Iranian Ambassador Seyed Majid Ghafeleh Bashi, saying it could threaten Czech security. They pointed to Iran’s decision in August to list Prague-based Radio Farda among its military targets.

Okamura said the meeting, held at Iran’s request, focused on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. ODS leader Martin Kupka, TOP 09 leader Matěj Ondřej Havel and ODS MP Jan Lipavský all criticised the meeting and Okamura’s approach to Iran.

Iranian armed forces listed Radio Farda among several foreign Persian-language media outlets as military targets in August, accusing them of links to US and Israeli intelligence. The Czech Foreign Ministry subsequently summoned the Iranian ambassador and said the threat was unacceptable.