US expresses EU development aid declaration for Iran sends "wrong message"

A European Union decision to give $20.7 million in development aid to Iran sends the "wrong message at the wrong time," a senior U.S. official said on Friday.

A European Union decision to give $20.7 million in development aid to Iran sends the "wrong message at the wrong time," a senior U.S. official said on Friday, urging Brussels to work with Washington to help end Tehran's threats to global security.

"Foreign aid from European taxpayers perpetuates the regime's ability to neglect the needs of its people and stifles meaningful policy changes," U.S. special representative to Iran Brian Hook said in a statement.

"More money in the hands of the Ayatollah means more money to conduct assassinations in those very European countries," he added, saying the decision "sends the wrong message at the wrong time."

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