Iran recalls ambassador from Azerbaijan

Iran recalls ambassador from Azerbaijan

TERT.AM
08:25 – 22.05.12

Iran has recalled its ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohammad Bagher
Bahrami, RIA Novosti reported, citing the Azerbaijani media.

The move has allegedly been made in response to insults against Iran’s
spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a protest in front of
the Iranian embassy in Baku.

Bahrami is expected to leave the country `for consultations’ on
Tuesday and the date of his return is unknown.

Ties between Tehran and Baku have deteriorated recently.

In February and March, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of National Security
carried out several clandestine operations to reveal Iranian spies and
intelligence agents in Baku preparing sabotage and terrorist actions.

Iran has accused Azerbaijan, which borders Iran and has friendly
relations with the United States and Israel, of colluding with the
Israeli intelligence in the killing of an Iranian nuclear scientist in
January.

Tehran has also blasted Baku over media reports speculating that
Azerbaijan may have been in talks on leasing its airfields to Israel
for a possible airstrike against Iranian nuclear facilities.

The last time Iranian authorities recalled their ambassador from Baku
was during the visit of Israeli President Shimon Peres to Azerbaijan
in 2009.

From: Baghdasarian