Iran blacklists some 60 foreign organizations

15:05, 5 January 2010

MOSCOW. January 5. KAZINFORM Iran has compiled a list of some 60 foreign organizations and media which it said were agents in the "soft war" against the country, the Press TV reported on Tuesday, Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

"Cooperating and signing contracts with these foundations and institutions, which are conducting soft warfare against Iran, is illegal, and receiving facilities from them is also prohibited," the TV channel said on its website, citing the country's deputy intelligence minister.

The list includes the Soros Foundation, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the East European Democratic Centre (EEDC), Wilton Park, the Smith Richardson Foundation, and the United States' National Defense University.

The organizations are said to be involved "in inciting post-election violence in the Islamic Republic."

BBC and Voice of America were also put on the list for "trying to help efforts to overthrow of the Islamic Republic."

The Islamic Republic's political movements and parties were prohibited from receiving financial assistance from foreign states.

The official also urged Iranians to avoid any "unusual relations" with the groups, as well as with foreigners and foreign embassies, Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.

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