The government of the Maldives said Tuesday it has decided to sever 40-year-old diplomatic ties with Iran, saying the Iranian regime’s policies in the Middle East are detrimental to peace and security in the region.
The Maldives foreign ministry said in a statement that peace in the Middle East is also linked to the island nation’s own peace, stability and security.
The Islamic Summit held last month in Turkey called on Iran’s regime to pursue a policy based on the principle of “good neighborliness, non-interference in their domestic affairs, respect for their independence and territorial sovereignty, (and) resolving differences by peaceful means in accordance with OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) and the UN Charters,” the foreign ministry statement said.
“The Maldives calls on Iran to show more commitment and tangible results in implementing the recommendations of the OIC,” it said, according to The Associated Press.
Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Bahrain, Somalia and Djibouti severed ties with Iran’s regime in January after crowds of protesters attacked two Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran. Qatar recalled its ambassador to Iran, while the United Arab Emirates also downgraded its diplomatic presence in Iran in January, saying Tehran’s meddling in the affairs of its Gulf neighbors had reached an “unprecedented” level.
In April, Jordan recalled its ambassador from Iran in protest to the Iranian regime’s interferences in Arab countries’ affairs.