TEHRAN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Friday slammed the European Parliament as "baseless" and "anti-Iran" to adopt a resolution on suspected poisoning of schoolgirls in the country.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said it was "surprising and regrettable" for the European side to make such a move while Iran was seriously investigating the issue at its highest levels, according to a statement published on the ministry's website.
The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution claiming that the poisoning attacks across Iran were aimed at preventing girls from attending education, calling for an independent "fact-finding" UN probe into the incidents and expanded EU sanctions on Iranian leaders, among others.
Nasser Kanaani argued that most Iranian high officials have vigorously condemned the "inhumane" acts and ordered probes into the cases.
He said based on initial findings by the Iranian judicial authorities, certain individuals involved in the perpetration of the "criminal acts" have been identified.
The Iranian spokesman regretted that the European Parliament has become a venue for "extremists" and people of dubious motives to hatemonger against the Iranian nation and spread Iranophobia.
More than 700 students from 30 schools across Iran have fallen victim to mysterious poisoning cases since Nov. 30. Most of them were soon discharged from hospitals after treatment.
The Interior Ministry revealed on March 7 that certain "stimulant substances" spreading among students had led to their poisoning symptoms.
An Iranian Police spokesman said Wednesday 110 suspects have been arrested for involvement in poisoning of students. ■
