Vesna Besic and Talha Ozturk
11 March 2026•Update: 11 March 2026
BELGRADE, Serbia
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on Wednesday criticized the Israeli ambassador for accusing the Iranian mission in Zagreb of possible links to terrorism, saying Croatia would not tolerate "foreign infections and germs" on its territory and that if such behavior continued, the country would no longer require the envoy from Tel Aviv to be present.
“Iran, when it comes to the Middle East, like Israel, is prone to certain terrorist methods. What is the killing in Gaza if not terrorism, and what is the abuse by Israeli soldiers trained in Krav Maga if not terrorism?” Milanovic told reporters.
He added, however, that Iran does not carry out terrorist activities in Europe.
Milanovic was commenting on statements by Gary Koren claiming that members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could be present at the Iranian Embassy in Zagreb with the task of gathering intelligence and supporting terrorism.
The Croatian president said the ambassador had been summoned to the presidential office at Pantovcak, where he was told not to alarm the public or harm Croatia’s interests.
“That official from Tel Aviv, or wherever he is from, practically said that there is a terrorist nest in the middle of Zagreb at the Iranian embassy,” Milanovic said, adding that Croatia would not allow “foreign infections and germs” on its territory, “neither Israeli nor Iranian.”
“This is Zagreb, brothers, not Tel Aviv,” the Croatian president stressed.
He added that if such behavior continues, it would mean the Croatian government tolerates it.
“We do not need the Israeli ambassador to disperse anyone here,” Milanović said.
Milanovic had earlier condemned US and Israeli attacks on Iran and reiterated on Wednesday that Iran is a member of the United Nations and had been attacked without a UN mandate.
