U.S. Heatedly Hits Resistance Group in Iran

WASHINGTON —  The State Department has issued a scathing report on an Iranian resistance group, saying it is not a viable alternative to the Tehran government.

The report, made public Monday, was criticized by Rep. Robert G. Torricelli (D-N.J.), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as incomplete and biased because of the department’s refusal to meet with the group, the People’s Moujahedeen.

Congress ordered the report to be made in foreign aid legislation. Recently, 110 members of the House and Senate signed letters calling for official talks with the Moujahedeen.

In the unclassified portion of its report, the State Department said it consulted with a large cross-section of Iranian opposition groups and expatriates, including Moujahedeen sympathizers.

Reporting its conclusions, it said, “Shunned by most Iranians and fundamentally undemocratic, the Mojahedin-e Khalq (People’s Moujahedeen) are not a viable alternative to the current government of Iran.”