Iran slams expulsion of its diplomats from AzerbaijanApril 8, 2023 - 13:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran thinks that Azerbaijan’s actions against Iranian diplomats, who have been declared personae non grata, run counter to the principles of good neighborly relations, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Friday, April 7, Tass reports. "We think that such conduct of the Azerbaijani government runs counter to the principles of good neighborly relations," the ministry quoted him as saying on its Telegram channel. The Iranian diplomat called on Baku to demonstrate "mutual respect, follow along the path of good neighborliness" and "stay away" from the "enemies of the region, including Israeli "Zionists." The Azerbaijani foreign ministry said on April 6 that four employees of the Iranian embassy in Baku had been declared personae non gratae and were ordered to leave the country within 48 hours. A resolute protest was expressed to the Iranian ambassador "for his country’s recent provocative actions against Azerbaijan." Relations between Baku and Tehran became strained after an armed attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Iran this January, when the embassy’s chief security officer was killed and two more security officers were wounded. Following the incident, the embassy suspended its operation and its employees and their families were evacuated to Azerbaijan. Baku also views Tehran’s military drills near the border with Azerbaijan as an unfriendly step. Apart from that, Baku claims that Tehran was behind the late March attempt on the life of Azerbaijani lawmaker Fazil Mustafa. Several people have been detained in recent months in Azerbaijan on charges of spying for Iran. Photo. AP Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia named European U18 chess vice-champion The U18 chess team of Armenia won the title of vice-champion of the European Team Championship. Iran says change in presidency won’t affect ties with Armenia Ambassador Mehdi Sobhani made the remarks when speaking to reporters at the Iranian Embassy. Congress draft bill condemns Azerbaijan for Karabakh ethnic cleansing The bill condemns Azerbaijan for perpetrating ethnic cleansing against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. MEPs issue statement to defend Armenia-France military cooperation The deputies emphasized that having an army armed with combat and modern military equipment is the sovereign right of any country. |