Iran has canceled the visit of its parliamentary speaker who was scheduled to speak before the human rights-oriented Council of Europe. Several European leaders protested the planned visit, but the apparent reason for the cancellation was a report that several Council members have been meeting with an Iranian group that supports overthrowing the current regime.

Legislators who objected to the visit by the speaker threatened to walk out if he were to appear. Jewish groups and the Israel lobby also protested the planned speech.