Manama: The Union of the Comoros has severed its diplomatic relations with Iran, citing Tehran’s interference in the domestic affairs of Arab countries.
A statement by the Ministry of External Relations, Cooperation, Overseas Comoros, Francophonie and the Arab World said that Iran’s failure to comply with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 and its blatant interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries were behind the move to sever relations.
The decision became effective on January 13 and the proper arrangements are being taken to implement it as soon as possible, the ministry of the archipelago island nation said.
The Comoros in early January expressed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia following the attacks on its embassy in the Iranian capital Tehran and its general consulate in the northern city of Mashhad and recalled its ambassador to Iran.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti had severed their diplomatic relations with Iran following the attacks and condemned the Iranian interference in Arab countries.
Gulf countries recalled their ambassadors to protest Iran’s behaviour.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Saturday and the Arab League on Sunday condemned Iran’s behaviour vis-a-vis Aarab countries and condemned the attacks on the Saudi diplomatic missions.
Iran had pushed since 2008 for closer relations and cooperation with Comoros, and in 2009 then Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly said that “Iran welcomes the expansion of relations and cooperation with the friendly, brother, and revolutionary” Comoros. In 2010, he called ties between Iran and Comoros “brotherly and ideological”.
