Officials in Copenhagen yesterday announced they traced a foiled assassination attempt back to government intelligence services in the Islamic Republic.
The target of the alleged attack was an opposition activist campaigning for greater independence for the Arab minority in Iran.
But the plot was stopped when a Norwegian citizen of Iranian background – said to be linked to the assassination attempt – was arrested in Sweden on October 21 and extradited to neighbouring Denmark.
Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen said it was now time for Brussels to toughen its stance against Iran.
He said: “In light of the latest development, Denmark will now push for a discussion in the EU on the need for further sanctions against Iran.”
Danish security services branded the plot “unacceptable”.
Intelligence chief Finn Borch Andersen said: “We are dealing with an Iranian intelligence agency planning an attack on Danish soil.
“Obviously, we can’t and won’t accept that.”
Iran has denied any involvement and dismissed the allegation as part of a campaign to damage relations between Tehran and Brussels as the two sides attempt to salvage a landmark nuclear accord.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said: “This is a continuation of enemies’ plots to damage Iranian relations with Europe at this critical time.”
Denmark’s demand for fresh sanctions against the Islamic Republic comes at a time of worsening relations between Tehran and the West.
The EU is currently imposing some sanctions against Iran but the majority were lifted after the Middle Eastern nation signed up to a 2016 nuclear accord.
The treaty traded sanctions relief for curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme.
But President Donald Trump has since withdrawn the US from the accord and re-imposed tough penalties.
He claimed the regime in Tehran was not making good on its commitments under the deal, despite claims from Iran and international observers that it was.
Mr Trump has argued that economic pressure caused by sanctions will force the Islamic Republic back to the negotiating table to discuss a new deal with also includes limits on its ballistic missile programme and aggressive foreign policy.
Major EU nations, including the UK, are still fighting to save the deal, insisting it has succeeded in its aim of blocking Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
The target of the alleged assassination plot was the leader of the Danish branch of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz (ASMLA), Danish intelligence said.
On September 28, Danish police shut two major bridges to traffic and halted ferry services from Denmark to Sweden and Germany in a nationwide police operation to prevent a possible attack.
A few days earlier, the Norwegian suspect had been observed photographing and watching the Danish home of the ASMLA leader, police said.