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Israeli, Cypriot, Greek FMs discuss Iran's IRGC in Cyprus meeting

The Iranian threat, security cooperation, joint energy projects and tourism were all discussed at the three-way meeting of the Israeli, Cypriot and Greek foreign ministers in Nicosia.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias meet in Nicosia, march 31 2023   Credit: Israel’s embassy in Cyprus
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias meet in Nicosia March 31, 2023. — Israeli Embassy in Cyprus

Meeting on Friday in Nicosia with his Cypriot and Greek counterparts, Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called on the European Union to blacklist Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization while hailing what he called a "trilateral alliance" between the three countries.  

"Iran is a danger to the world. Iranian terrorism hurts the Middle East, Ukraine, Europe and more. I asked my friends, the foreign ministers of Greece and Cyprus, to act to declare the IRGC as a terrorist organization in the European Union," Cohen stated after the meeting. The EU has designated individuals and entities within the IRGC but has been reluctant to make a broad listing of the powerful military Iranian structure out of fear of provoking an escalation with Tehran. 

Cohen noted that Israel invests great efforts into its relationship with Greece and Cyprus, with an eye toward global challenges such as energy, joint economic opportunities and the safety of Israeli tourists and Jewish life.

The meeting came just three days after Greek security forces reportedly foiled planned attacks by at least two Pakistani nationals against Israeli and Jewish targets in the country. The Israeli prime minister’s office revealed on Wednesday that the Mossad had assisted Greece in thwarting the terror plan.

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